Structural Features of Oxide Coatings on Aluminum

The structural features of the porous type of anodic oxide coating applied to aluminum have been investigated with the electron microscope. These coatings consist of close‐packed cells of oxide, predominately hexagonal in shape, each of which contains a single pore. Pore size is a function of the electrolyte used and is independent of forming voltage. Wall thickness and barrier thickness are primarily a function of forming voltage and are affected to a minor degree by the electrolyte type. Pertinent dimensions of anodic coatings formed in sulfuric acid, oxalic acid, chromic acid, and phosphoric acid electrolytes are presented, and formulas are given for calculating the cell size and pore volume of these coatings.