摘要 |
A method is provided by which a corrosion-resistant barrier layer composed of a rare earth oxide coating incorporated in an oxide film is developed on the surface of a metal for the purpose of improving the corrosion resistance of the metal. The method is particularly suitable for forming a corrosion-resistant barrier on an aluminum alloy, in which the corrosion-resistant barrier layer is composed of a cerium oxide coating incorporated with a uniform aluminum oxide film which has been formed on the aluminum alloy. The corrosion-resistant barrier layer exhibits a broader passivation range as compared to chromium conversion coatings typically used in the art. Simultaneously, the method of this invention avoids the environmental hazards associated with chromium conversion processes, making the method more suitable for manufacturing operations. Furthermore, the method of this invention does not employ hazardous compounds, making the process suitable for a manufacturing environment.
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