Dual enhancement of wear and corrosion resistance in aluminum alloy anodic oxide films through glycerol addition

Aluminum alloy anodic oxide films (AAO) on aluminum alloys play a crucial role in enhancing wear and corrosion resistance, but their limited thickness significantly impacts their overall performance. In this study, a novel approach was developed by incorporating glycerol into the sulfuric acid electrolyte, which resulted in aluminum alloy anodic oxide films with greater thickness and superior wear and corrosion resistance. Compared to conventional electrolytes, the addition of glycerol not only increased the film thickness but also effectively suppressed the dissolution of the oxide film during its formation, thereby improving its durability. The aluminum alloy samples were anodized in electrolytes with varying concentrations of glycerol, and the wear and corrosion resistance were evaluated. The morphology and composition of the aluminum alloy anodic oxide films were characterized using SEM, XRD, and FTIR. The results showed that the optimal performance was achieved with a 20% glycerol concentration in the electrolyte, where the aluminum alloy anodic oxide films exhibited the best wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and adhesion. This study provides a new strategy for enhancing the wear and corrosion resistance of aluminum alloy anodic oxide films and demonstrates the potential of glycerol as an effective additive in anodizing processes.