Effect of plasma electrolytic oxidation treatment on corrosion behavior of closed-cell Al-A356 alloy foam

Abstract Closed-cell Al-A356 alloy foam was produced via casting practice. Surface of the foams were treated by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) process using different electrical currents of 2.5, 5 and 10 A. The produced oxide layers consisted of aluminum and silicon elements that reduced the corrosion rate of the foam in 3 wt% NaCl solution. Results revealed that the 10 A-PEO treated sample provided the optimum coating on the closed-cell aluminum foam, due to formation of a barrier layer and a less-cracked porous surface, also corrosion rate of the PEO treated foam was ∼2% of the uncoated one.