It is impossible to obtain normal porous oxide films during anodization of Al-coated steels due to peeling at the interface of the Al layer and the steel substrate, as well as due to local dissolution of the steel substrate One of the best methods of preventing these problems is to provide a protective layer such as Ti between the Al layer and the steel substrate.
This study investigated the anodizing behavior of Al/Ti double-coated steels in which the initial (Ti) layer was applied by arc-discharge ion plating and the second (Al) layer by vapor deposition, in 15wt% sulfuric acid Results indicated that normal anodic oxide films can be formed on such double coated steels A Ti layer about 1μm thick was found to make possible the anodization of the Al layer
Observations by both scanning electron and transmission electron microscopy revealed that the porous oxide film formed on Al/Ti double-coated steel had uniform surface morphology (pore distribution)