Non-chromate sealant for porous anodized aluminum

摘要

The present invention provides a method for easily and effectively removing adsorbed water molecules from an anodized surface using low intensity ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The present invention also provides a method for sealing an anodized aluminum surface which does not result in hazardous byproducts. The method involves, in vacuum: (1) vaporizing a selected precursor fluid; (2) condensing a flux of said precursor vapor onto the anodized aluminum surface; (3) and, bombarding said condensed precursor vapor with an energetic beam of ions to convert the porous anodized surface into an inert, solid, impermeable, and mechanically strong surface.