Electrolytic processing of metallic substrates

Abstract

Provided herein are methods and systems for electrolytic processing of metallic substrates, such as aluminum alloys. The disclosure provides methods of making an anodized substrate by anodizing a metallic substrate in an electrolyte solution comprising phosphoric acid. In particular, the disclosure describes various conditions for anodizing the metallic substrate, including temperature, acid concentration, and voltage. The disclosure also provides systems for carrying out described methods.

1 . A method of making an anodized substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a metallic substrate; and   anodizing a surface of the metallic substrate in an electrolyte solution at a temperature from 60° C. to 100° C. to form an anodized film layer, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises from 0.01 M to 1 M of an electrolyte.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte is an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphonic acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the electrolyte solution comprises from 0.05 M to 0.5 M electrolyte, and wherein the electrolyte is phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the anodizing comprises applying a direct current (DC) having a voltage from ±10 VDC to ±35 VDC and/or applying an alternating current (AC) having a voltage from ±10 VAC to ±35 VAC to the electrolyte solution for at least 5 seconds. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the anodizing comprises applying the AC for at least 5 seconds before and/or after applying the DC for at least 15 seconds. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 cleaning the surface of the metallic substrate; and/or   drying the surface of the metallic substrate.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein cleaning the surface of the metal substrate comprises rinsing the surface of the metallic substrate with a solvent. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic substrate is not etched before anodizing. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metallic substrate comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         10 . A method of making an anodized substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a metallic substrate;   anodizing a surface of the metallic substrate in an electrolyte solution by applying a direct current (DC) having a voltage from ±10 VDC to ±35 VDC and applying an alternating current (AC) having a voltage from ±10 VAC to ±35 VAC to the electrolyte solution for at least 5 seconds, wherein the electrolyte solution comprises from 0.01 M to 1 M of an electrolyte; and   optionally, drying the surface of the metallic substrate.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrolyte is an inorganic acid selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphonic acid, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrolyte solution comprises from 0.05 M to 0.5 M electrolyte, and wherein the electrolyte is phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the anodizing comprises applying the AC for at least 5 seconds before and/or after applying the DC for at least 15 seconds. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the electrolyte solution is heated to a temperature from 60° C. to 100° C. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 cleaning the surface of the metallic substrate; and/or   drying the surface of the metallic substrate.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein cleaning the surface of the metal substrate comprises rinsing the surface of the metallic substrate with a solvent. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the metallic substrate is not etched before anodizing. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the metallic substrate comprises an aluminum alloy. 
     
     
         19 . A system for anodizing a metallic substrate, the system comprising:
 an electrolytic cell having a metallic cathode;   an electrolyte solution source for providing an electrolyte solution comprising from 0.01 M to 1 M an electrolyte;   a support for suspending the metallic substrate in the electrolyte solution; and   a power supply from providing a direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC) to the electrolytic cell and through the electrolyte solution.   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the electrolyte solution comprises from 0.05 M to 0.5 M electrolyte, and wherein the electrolyte is phosphoric acid. 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled)