# Study on the Wear Resistance of 6061 Aluminum Alloy Bipolar Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Ceramic Coating by the Addition of K2ZrF6

## TL;DR

This study shows that adding K2ZrF6 to a ceramic coating on aluminum improves its wear resistance and electrical properties.

## Contribution

The novel contribution is demonstrating how K2ZrF6 enhances wear resistance and breakdown voltage in PEO coatings on aluminum.

## Key findings

- Coating growth rate increased by 37.3% with K2ZrF6 addition.
- Breakdown voltage improved by 46.0% due to K2ZrF6 inclusion.
- Abrasion weight loss decreased by 41.8% with K2ZrF6.

## Abstract

A plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coating was produced on 6061 aluminum alloy within a silicate-containing electrolyte using a bipolar pulsed power supply. The impact of K2ZrF6 addition on the wear resistance of the coating was investigated. The phase composition, surface morphology, and elemental distribution of the coatings were assessed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experimental data revealed that the growth rate of the coating increased by 37.3% compared to that without K2ZrF6; the addition of K2ZrF6 favored the formation of mullite and enhanced the coating densification; it also improved the breakdown voltage of the coating, which increased by 46.0% compared to that without K2ZrF6; and it also demonstrated excellent abrasion resistance, with a reduction of 41.8% in the weight of the abrasion.