Research project: Advanced nanostructured coatings for aluminium alloys

Aluminium has a high affinity for oxygen to form rapidly an oxide layer when exposed to air or water which weakens the adhesion of coating and Al substrate. The zincating process is considered as the most practical and economical surface pre-treatment process for aluminium alloys. However, the zincating process encountered with some problems, such as dissolution of aluminum substrates in a concentrated alkaline solution and non-uniform zinc deposition due to non-uniform dissolution of the substrate during the process. The project will work on the double process of Cu and Zincating to produce the uniform and adhesive coatings on Al alloys.