Tribological Properties of Oxide Coatings Produced on EN AW-5251 Alloy using Different Distances between Electrodes

The subject of the presented work was the analysis of the influence of the distance between the electrodes using in the coating process on the tribological properties of oxide coatings. Oxide coatings were prepared on EN AW-5251 aluminum alloy samples. The samples surfaces were subjected to hard anodizing process in a multicomponent electrolyte based on sulfuric acid with an addition of organic acids. Anodizing was carried out with a constant electric charge density of 180 A·min/dm². The distances between the electrodes for subsequent samples increased every 0.125 m up to 1 m. The tribological partner in a sliding couple with oxide layers was pin of PEEK/BG. Tribological tests were conducted on a T-17 tester in reciprocating motion, in technically dry friction conditions. Before and after tribological test, examination of the geometrical structure of counter-specimens’ surface was carried out using the Form Talysurf contact profilographometer, via a 3D method. The most satisfactory tribological parameters were obtained for the PEEK/BG association with the coating produced at a distance between the electrodes equal to 0.25 m.