Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters) ›› 1997, Vol. 10 ›› Issue (1): 1-9.

• Research paper •     Next Articles

ENHANCED PASSIVITY OF GUILLOTINED ALUMINIUM IN Na_2SiO_3 SOLUTION BY GEL FORMATION

C. Liu and G.T. Burstein (Department of MateriaIs Science and Metallurgy, University of Cambridge, Pembroke Street, Cambridge CB2 3QZ, United Kingdom)   

  • Received:1997-02-25 Revised:1997-02-25 Online:1997-02-25 Published:2009-10-10

Abstract: The passivity of guillotined aluminium electrode is enhanced in alkaline electrolytes by SiO32-. It is proposed that the formation of a complete aluminosilicate gel is responsible for this phenomenon. Dissolution of the metal proceeds via the existing film and the dissolution product reacts with SiO_3~2- ions to form the gel. Under galvanostatic polarisation, significant amount of the gel is formed when the applied anodic i > 10mA cm-2. This gel layer can then be transformed into barrier-type of oxide film, thus contributing to the initial stage of the high voltage anodisation.

Key words: passivity, repassivation, guillotined aluminium, silicate, dissolution