Surface modification of light alloys exposed to excessive conditions in the defence industry

In this study, ceramic coatings were developed on AA7075 alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) method in different solutions prepared by adding aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, wolfram-titanium carbide and titanium carbide particles. The chemical composition of the base solution to which the particles were added was determined as a result of an optimization study to obtain the lowest porosity and the highest hardness in coating. The phase composition of the coatings was investigated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The surface morphology of the coatings and the microstructure of the cross-section were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical analyzes of the coatings were made by means of energy distribution x-ray spectrometry (EDX). The hardness values of the coatings were measured by microVickers hardness tester. In order to examine the friction and wear behavior of the coated substrates, dry sliding wear tests were performed against 100Cr6 steel and alumina balls. After the wear test, the wear profile was obtained by the surface profilometer and the material volume loss was calculated. As a result of the tests, it has been observed that the surface hardness and wear resistance of the AA7075 alloy was significantly increased by the application of PEO coatings. The coatings consist of a dense inner layer and a porous outer layer. It has been determined that the coating hardness increased close to substrate/coating interface while decreasing towards the free surface due to the increased porosity. The coatings produced in silicon oxide particle-containing solutions were found to be thicker and rougher than the other coatings. The lowest wear loss was obtained in the coating produced in titanium-carbide-containing solutions.