Surface Characteristics and Electrochemical Impedance Investigation of Spark-Anodized Ti-6Al-4V Alloy

In this study, the surface characteristic of oxide films on Ti-6Al-4V alloy formed by an anodic oxidation treatment in H2SO4/H3PO4 electrolyte at potentials higher than the breakdown voltage was evaluated. Morphology of the surface layers was studied by scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that the diameter of pores and porosity of oxide layer increase by increasing the anodizing voltage. The thickness measurement of the oxide layers showed a linear increase of thickness with increasing the anodizing voltage. The EDS analysis of oxide films formed in H2SO4/H3PO4 at potentials higher than breakdown voltage demonstrated precipitation of sulfur and phosphor elements from electrolyte into the oxide layer. X-ray diffraction was employed to exhibit the effect of anodizing voltage on the oxide layer structure. Roughness measurements of oxide layer showed that in spark anodizing, the Ra and Rz parameters would increase by increasing the anodizing voltage. The structure and Corrosion properties of oxide layers were studied using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques, in 0.9 wt.% NaCl solution. The obtained EIS spectra and their interpretation in terms of an equivalent circuit with the circuit elements indicated that the detailed impedance behavior is affected by three regions of the interface: the space charge region, the inner compact layer, and outer porous layer.