Nanostructured aluminum zirconium alloys for improved anodization

A consumer electronic product, comprising:

• an enclosure comprising:
• a metal substrate, and
• an aluminum alloy layer bonded to the metal substrate, wherein the aluminum alloy layer includes (i) nanocrystalline structures having a grain size of less than 100 nanometers, and (ii) alloying element ions having between 1 atomic percent to 12 atomic percent of zirconium so as to inhibit recrystallization of grain structures having a size greater than 100 nanometers.

An article of manufacture, comprising:

• an aluminum alloy layer having alloying element ions that inhibit recrystallization of grain structures having a size greater than 100 nanometers, wherein the alloying element ions include between 1 atomic percent to 12 atomic percent of zirconium.

An article of manufacture, comprising:

• a metal substrate;
• and
• an aluminum alloy layer overlaying the metal substrate, wherein the aluminum alloy layer includes (i) nanocrystalline structures having a grain size of less than 100 nanometers, and (ii) alloying element ions that include between 1 atomic percent to 12 atomic percent of zirconium.

A method of forming a consumer electronic product enclosure including a metal substrate, the method comprising:

• forming an aluminum zirconium alloy layer by co-depositing aluminum ions and zirconium ions onto the metal substrate, wherein the aluminum zirconium alloy layer includes between 1 atomic percent to 12 atomic percent of the zirconium ions.