Chapter 17 -- Protective Coatings for Aluminum Alloys

The corrosion protection of a surface can be thought of as converting the pre-existing surface to one less reactive and inert. The methodology for nearly all metals is similar; though the compositions are necessarily different as treatments that work on one metal as inhibitive may be a noble oxide, acting as cathode and accelerant of corrosion on another. The oxide layer of aluminum is its natural defense against corrosion and is particularly effective (e.g., the durable aluminum drink can)