Model concepts on the mechanism of microarc oxidation of metal materials and the control over this process

Based on a critical analysis of literature data, new model concepts on the mechanism of microarc oxidation (MAO) are developed. The correctness of these model concepts is confirmed by experimental results on the average growth rate of oxide-ceramic coatings for different duration of the MAO process on AД31, MA2-1, and MЛ-5 alloys, the morphology of the surface structure of coatings of different thickness, the comparative electrical strength of dielectric coatings, which is assessed during self-quenching of the MAO process and in air. Equivalent electric circuits developed describe this process and are experimentally shown to be the “tool” which allows controlling MAO of aluminum and magnesium alloys. Original Russian Text ? A.G. Rakoch, V.V. Khokhlov, V.A. Bautin, N.A. Lebedeva, Yu.V. Magurova, I.V. Bardin, 2006, published in Zashchita Metallov, 2006, Vol. 42, No. 2, pp. 173–184.