The effect of post-treatment time and temperature on cerium-based conversion coatings on Al 2024-T3

Corrosion performance, morphology, and electrochemical characteristics of cerium-based conversion coatings on Al 2024-T3 were examined as a function of phosphate post-treatment time and temperature. Corrosion resistance improved after post-treatment in 2.5 wt.% NH4H2PO4 for times up to 10 min or temperatures up to 85 °C. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization testing correlated to neutral salt spray corrosion performance. Hydrated cerium oxide and peroxide species present in the as-deposited coatings were transformed to CePO4·H2O for post-treatments at longer times and/or higher temperatures. Based on these results, processes active during post-treatment are kinetically dependent and strongly influenced by the post-treatment time and temperature.