Machining of the Ceramic Oxide Coating Formed by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

Abstract

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is one of the methods to produce thin ceramic oxide coatings on the parts made of aluminum alloys and to increase their wear resistance and service life significantly. A PEO coating consists of upper and lower layers. The microhardness of a ceramic oxide coating is nonuniform across thickness. It is necessary to ensure the accuracy of the sizes and shapes and the surface roughness of the surfaces formed upon finishing of ceramic oxide coatings. The effect of the characteristics of abrasive discs on the coating quality is studied. Technological recommendations are developed for the machining of such ceramic oxide coatings. Abrasive polishing should be used for final machining. The investigation results can be used in the machine building and repair enterprises that deal with the production, repair, and hardening of parts.