ENHANCED PASSIVITY OF GUILLOTINED ALUMINIUM IN Na_2SiO_3 SOLUTION BY GEL FORMATION

The passivity of guillotined aluminium electrode is enhanced in alkaline electrolytes by SiO32-. It is proposed that the formation of a complete aluminosilicate gel is responsible for this phenomenon. Dissolution of the metal proceeds via the existing film and the dissolution product reacts with SiO_3~2- ions to form the gel. Under galvanostatic polarisation, significant amount of the gel is formed when the applied anodic i > 10mA cm-2. This gel layer can then be transformed into barrier-type of oxide film, thus contributing to the initial stage of the high voltage anodisation.