Phosphate coating which can be substantially free of hexavalent chromium and methods of making the same

A method of forming a phosphate coating, comprising:

• applying a solution of phosphoric acid and phosphate salt to a surface of a substrate, wherein the solution chemically reacts with the surface of the substrate and forms a phosphate portion, wherein the phosphate portion comprises pores;
• and
• applying a corrosion inhibition sealant to the phosphate portion, wherein the pores of the phosphate portion are at least partially filled with the corrosion inhibition sealant, wherein the corrosion inhibition sealant comprises:
• a base, wherein the base comprises a matrix and a metal within the matrix, wherein the metal within the matrix comprises aluminum, an aluminum alloy, zinc, a zinc alloy, magnesium, a magnesium alloy, or a combination thereof;
• and
• an inhibitor mixed within the base,
• wherein the phosphate coating has less than or equal to about 1.0% hexavalent chromium by weight based on a total weight of the phosphate coating,
• wherein i) the inhibitor comprises trivalent chromium, tungstenate, or a combination thereof, ii) the matrix comprises polyurethane, or iii) a combination thereof.