Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 February 2011
New methods of forming corrosion resistant inorganic coatings on Al and Al alloys are required due to environment and work safety hazards associated with the currently used Cr-based coatings technologies. In this paper we report on certain specific aspects of Al surface film formation that can be exploited to form highly corrosion resistant coatings. The aspects discussed include: formation of hydrotalcite surface films, Li2[Al2 (OH)6]2 CO3nH2O, by exposure to Li-salt solutions, elimination of unwanted Cu compounds that accumulate surface films formed on Cubearing Al alloys, and generation of high corrosion resistance by precipitating transition metal oxides on to alkaline hydrotalcite coated surfaces.