Adsorption Behavior of GTMS on AA2024-T3 Aluminum Alloy and the Application on Surface Pretreatment

Abstract

Basing on the study of adsorption behavior of glycidoxypropyl-trimethoxy-silane (GTMS), pretreatment method of AA2024-T3 aluminum alloy for sol-gel films was optimized. The morphology, composition and corrosion protective performance of alloy coated with the films were investigated by using FE-SEM, EDS, AFM and EIS. The results showed that the Al matrix exhibited better ability to adsorb GTMS molecules than the second phase particles, especially at lower concentration of GTMS. Further, the 5% GTMS films cover the whole surface, but the selective adsorption behaviors still exist. It was concluded that less second phase particles and smoother surface were benefit to the sol-gel films on aluminum alloy. Depending on this conclusion, the pretreatment method for sol-gel films was optimized. The optimized surface condition conducted with 50 g•L-1 sodium hydroxide and ultrasound at 60 oC for 30 s was obtained. These samples coated with the sol-gel films revealed good anti-corrosion performance. The coverage degree of the films was up to 97.95 %.