| dc.description.abstract | Metals and alloys are used extensively because of their characteristics, including high
strength, ability to bear heavy loads and stress, ductility, machinability, and so on. Metals and
alloys are subject to corrosion when they come in contact with an aggressive environment.
Among all the metals and alloys, aluminum is primarily used for various applications under
aggressive atmospheric conditions, which result in its loss of metallic luster, changes in the
dimensions of the aluminum, and its loss of strength. Many techniques have been used to
minimize the corrosion of aluminum and its alloys, one of which is to employ a plasma surface
cleaning treatment. Using this technique to fabricate the aluminum surface as a
superhydrophobic (SH)-coated surface is the ultimate goal, whereby the coated surface becomes
a water-fearing surface, can resist corrosion for a longer period of time, and can be applied as the
best surface for icing conditions. Heat treatment was executed on the surface to make the SH
coating highly robust.
The corrosive behavior of Aluminum 2024-T3 alloy was tested using a 3.0% sodium
chloride (NaCl) solution, which is an aggressive solution. The resulting behavior was
investigated by means of contact angle measurement, linear polarization, electrochemical
impedance spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Vickers
microhardness, and salt soaking. Additional tests—tape adhesive, deicing, freezing time, supercooled water, and self-cleaning—were performed to show that the surface coat remains
superhydrophobic schematically. It was discovered that the plasma surface cleaning treatment
increases the adhesiveness between the substrate and the top coat, which results in the coated
surface remaining superhydrophobic for a long period of time. The corrosion rate of the surface
is also reduced, which provides a double benefit. | |
