Development of an Oxide Layer on Al 6061 Using Plasma Arc Electrolytic Oxidation in Silicate-Based Electrolyte

The plasma electrolytic method is one of the techniques which can be used to form an oxide layer on the substrate material surface. This technique employs ion exchange by developing an electrolytic arc between the cathode and the anode. The strong bond at high temperatures promotes the formation of an oxide layer on the metal surface. The electrolyte composition has a strong influence on the metal surface characteristics. Hence, the addition of certain nanoparticles in an adequate amount can improve the surface properties like wear and corrosion resistance. In this study, a plasma electrolytic technique based on using a direct current and voltage approach is investigated. The plasma electrolytic technique is utilized to develop an oxide layer on the Al 6061 alloy substrate surface using a DC voltage input on a silicate-based electrolyte. The substrate surface is then investigated for the thickness of the oxide layer formed and the amount of carbon element absorbed, using the SEM and XRD analysis. The experimentation and the study of the results confirmed the presence of a substantial oxide layer on the surface. The influence of the process on the output parameters-direct voltage and electrode distance is studied with the significant changes obtained in the weight percentage of elements like C, Al, Si, and O as supported by SEM and EDAX analysis. Most changes occurred when using a 197 V and in the current range of 0.3 A to 1 A. This can be useful further to improve the mechanical properties of the metal alloy using the plasma arc oxidation method.