Oil-impregnated nanoporous oxide coating for inhibiting aluminum corrosion

A method of forming a hydrophobic coating on a surface of an aluminum substrate, said method comprising the steps of:

• anodizing said substrate in an acid selected so as to form an oxide layer which includes a plurality of nanopores having walls, at least some of said nanopores of said plurality of nanopores having a sidewall extending through said oxide layer to a dead end thereof, whereby said at least some of said nanopores exhibit a high aspect ratio;
• coating said walls, including said sidewall of each nanopore of said at least some of said nanopores, with a hydrophobic coating material;
• providing said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores, with a filling solution having a surface tension selected to allow said filling solution to penetrate said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores;
• providing said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores, with an exchange fluid which is miscible with said filling solution and which replaces said filling solution in said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores;
• and
• providing said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores, with a liquid oil which is miscible with said exchange fluid and which replaces said exchange fluid in said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores, said liquid oil being provided in a quantity sufficient to completely fill said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores, such that said plurality of nanopores, including said at least some of said nanopores, contain said liquid oil only.