Process for improving an anodizing film, an anodizing film structure and an aluminum-alloy-made outboard engine
AssigneesHonda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Yutaka Giken Co., Ltd.
InventorsYoshiyuki Matsuda, Hiroyuki Murata, Norimasa Takasaki, Morihiro Takemura
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Abstract
A process for forming an improved anodizing film on the surface of an aluminum alloy material. The film is impregnated with an amorphous substance which fills pores formed in the film during its growth. If the film has a flaw reaching the aluminum alloy material, the amorphous substance and aluminum form a layer of passivity which restrains the corrosion of the aluminum alloy material.
Claims21
A process for improving an anodic oxide film, comprising the steps of:
- forming an anodic oxide film on a surface of an aluminum alloy material, the anodic oxide film having pores formed therein during its growth;
- filling the pores of the anodic oxide film with an amorphous substance, the amorphous substance being capable of forming, together with aluminum, a passivation layer on the surface of the aluminum alloy material;
- and
- sealing the pores to close inlets thereof to confine the amorphous substance within the pores.
An anodic oxide film structure comprising:
- an anodic oxide film formed on a surface of an aluminum alloy material, the anodic oxide film having pores formed therein during its growth;
- amorphous zirconium phosphate filled in the pores of the anodic oxide film, the amorphous zirconium phosphate being capable of forming, together with aluminum, a passivation layer over the surface of the aluminum alloy material;
- and
- a sealant layer for sealing inlets of the pores to confine the amorphous zirconium phosphate within the pores.
An aluminum alloy outboard engine comprising:
- an engine cover;
- an under cover attached to the bottom of the engine cover;
- an extension case attached to the bottom of the under cover;
- a gear case attached to the bottom of the extension case;
- and
- an anodic oxide film structure formed on at least the extension and gear cases and comprising an anodic oxide film formed on a surface of an aluminum alloy material, the anodic oxide film having pores formed therein during its growth, amorphous zirconium phosphate filled in the pores of the anodic oxide film, the amorphous zirconium phosphate being capable of forming, together with aluminum, a passivation layer over the surface of the aluminum alloy material, and a sealant layer for closing inlets of the pores to confine the amorphous zirconium phosphate within the pores.
An anodized aluminum alloy product comprising:
- an aluminum alloy body;
- an anodic oxide film formed on a surface of the aluminum alloy body and having pores formed therein during its growth;
- an amorphous substance filled in the pores of the anodic oxide film, the amorphous substance being a material capable of forming, together with aluminum, a passivation film over the surface of the aluminum alloy body;
- and a sealant layer for closing inlets of the pores to confine the amorphous substance within the pores;
- whereby if the anodic oxide film becomes exposed, the amorphous substance confined in the pores reacts with an exposed part of the aluminum alloy to form a passivation layer at the exposed part of the aluminum alloy.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.