TEM analysis and wear resistance of the ceramic coatings on Q235 steel prepared by hybrid method of hot-dipping aluminum and plasma electrolytic oxidation

► Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was firstly used to analyze the phase composition of the ceramic coatings. ► The phase composition of the ceramic coatings is mainly amorphous phase and crystal Al2O3 oxides. ► The cross-section micro-hardness of the treated samples was investigated, the hardness of the ceramic coatings is about HV1300. ► The wear resistance of the PEO samples is about 3 times higher than that of the heat treated 45# steel.