DefinePK

Abstract

Optical characteristics of aluminum surface are vital for several applications and high reflectivity is required for applications of solar devices and optical microscopes. Electrochemical polishing (EP) was used for enhancement of leveling of the surface and elimination of nano/micro asperities, cavities and scratches. Electrolytic solution was prepared using mixture H3PO4, H2SO4 and H2O, with concentrations 55%, 14%, 31%, respectively. Ethylene glycol (EG) was added with different concentration 10, 20, 30 and 40 ml/l. After EP process, the samples washed well and dried at 110 °C. Then, the surface was investigated by SEM, AFM to evaluate the roughness of the surface. Gloss value and reflectance of the surface were obviously increased after EP treatment. Hardness and thickness of the surface were measured after EP treatment, where hardness was increased from 49 to 53 Brennel HB and thickness was increased from 1 to 3 µm after EP with addition of 20ml EG/l. Addition of 10ml EG/l showed the increase of corrosion resistance of Al surface to 36.707 KO and decrease of corrosion rate to 0.01890 mm/year after EP more than other concentrations.