Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/K78959/01
Title:	A STUDY OF CHROMATE FREE PASSIVATION OF ALUMINIUM AND ZINC SURFACES.
Principal Investigator:	Richardson, Professor MOW
Other Investigators:	Wilcox, Professor G
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	A F Hayes & Co Ltd Avdel Systems Ltd BAE Systems Macdermid Plc Pre Nexus Migration
Department:	Materials
Organisation:	Loughborough University
Scheme:	LINK
Starts:	03 June 1996	Ends:	02 June 1999	Value (£):	184,686
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Processing
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
The requirement to replace hexavalent chromium based passivation treatments with less toxic alternatives has created the necessity to study in depth the passivation mechanisms offered by possible replacements. To remedy this fundamental lack of understanding, novel non chromate solutions based on molybdate, rare earth and zicronium formulations will be applied at various concentrations, temperatures and bath conditions to aluminium and zinc surfaces top produce potentially passivity (corrosion resisting) films. The most promising samples will then be subjected to electrochemical assessments of film formation kinetics using DC polarisation and galvanostatic techniques in conjunction with electron microscopy studies. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy will be applied to obtain an understanding of film absorption characteristics ad surface activity. The passivation film composition will be evaluated using ESCA and electron spectroscopy in parallel with atomic force spectroscopy for topography. Verification of corrosion resistance will be established using continuous salt spray fog techniques and electrochemical based tests. The later example will feature polarisation-resistance methods and measurement of charge transfer resistance using electrochemical impedance approaches and will enable corrosion resistance models to be formulated. Where possible, the crystal morphology and film topography along with compositional data of the passivation films will be correlated will overall passivation performance.
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Organisation Website:	http://www.lboro.ac.uk