Surface Characterization of Cerium based Conversion Coatings

The goal of this research is to produce, characterize and evaluate coatings based on inorganic inhibitors which can serve as potential replacements for the chromated coatings currently used for corrosion protection in the aircraft industry. An inorganic cerium-based conversion coating has been developed and an invention disclosure has been made on the process. Panels survive over 336-hour salt fog testing at UMR and Boeing facilities which apparently meets the Mil Spec requirements for a conversion coating system. The cerium conversion coatings on aluminum 7075 and 2024 panels were coated with a cathodic E-Coat. The panels that had been scribed, survived 2000 hours salt fog exposure