Preparation and corrosion resistance of titanium–zirconium–cerium based conversion coating on 6061 aluminum alloy

This paper aims to develop a chromium‐free chemical conversion coating with good corrosion resistance. A novel chemical conversion coating was prepared on 6061 aluminum alloy by dipping in the treatment solution containing titanium/zirconium based‐ions and sodium metaphosphate and cerium nitrate hexahydrate as additives. The morphology and composition of the conversion coatings were observed by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The microarea structure of conversion coatings at different formation stages was analyzed by electron probe microanalyzer. The electrochemical polarization curve revealed that the corrosion potential of the conversion coating was −0.577 V and the corrosion current density was 0.1148 μA/cm2. The equivalent circuit fitted by AC impedance showed that the film resistance reaches 68,140 Ω. The formation of coating preferentially grows on the Al (Fe) Si intermetallic to form oxides of Ti and Zr; then TiO2 formed by a higher concentration of Ti4+ gradually covered ZrO2. Ce3+ could adsorb on the intermetallic compound, the hydrolysis of which causes the local pH of the solution to decrease and promotes the aluminum alloy dissolved. This paper aims to develop a chrome‐free chemical conversion coating with good corrosion resistance. A novel chemical conversion coating was prepared on 6061 aluminum alloy by dipping in the treatment solution containing titanium/zirconium based‐ions and sodium metaphosphate and cerium nitrate hexahydrate as additives.