Abstract of US Patent 6,818,116 – Additive-assisted cerium-based electrolytic coating process for corrosion protection of aluminum alloys: The corrosion resistance of an aluminum or aluminum alloy component is enhanced by immersing an aluminum alloy to act as a cathode and an oxygen-evolving anode in an electrolyte comprising water, cerium ions, and an additive selected from among animal gelatin, derivatives of animal gelatin, and amino acids, then passing an electrical current through the electrolyte to deposit a cerium-based coating onto the aluminum-based component.Abstract of US Patent 5,932,083 – Electrodeposition of cerium-based coatings for corrosion protection of aluminum alloys: A process for enhancing the corrosion resistance of an aluminum-containing component with a cerium based coating. An aluminum-containing cathode and an oxygen-evolving anode are immersed in an electrolyte comprising water, solvent, oxidizing agent and cerium ions. An electrical current is passed through the electrolyte by applying electrical current to deposit a cerium based coating onto the cathode. An electrolyte for use in depositing a cerium based coating. An electrodeposited cerium-based coating. An aluminum aircraft structural component having a cerium-based coating thereon.Non-Confidential Abstract of Invention: A conversion coating employing cerium salts as the primary active agents has been developed to improve the resistance of aluminum to corrosion. The main use of the coating would be as a substitute for the environmentally undesirable chromate materials now being used. The cerium is deposited by means of an electrochemical process.

File Number: 97UMR049  

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Additional Patent: U.S. Patent No. 6,818,116Case Manager: Keith D. Strassner, kdstrass@mst.edu