Mechanical properties and frictional behaviour of nanoporous anodized aluminium

The mechanical properties and tribological behaviour of anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) were studied. Well-ordered porous AAO was produced by a two step anodization method at rather low temperatures. Two different types of acid electrolytes namely sulphuric and oxalic acid, were used to obtain pore diameters varying between 16-75 nm. Mechanical properties in relation to the type of electrolyte and pore diameter, were investigated using nanoindentation technique. Reciprocating fretting tests against a corundum counterbody were run to reveal the frictional behaviour of as-produced nanoporous aluminium on aluminium as a substrate. It appears that the pore diameter has a strong effect on the mechanical properties but not a major effect on the frictional behaviour. The type of acid selected contributes to the inclusion of either sulphur or carbon in AAO, and affects the tribological behaviour.status: publishe