Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference:	GR/S00569/01
Title:	ceramic coatings for light metals by plasma electrolytic oxidation(peo)
Principal Investigator:	Skeldon, Professor P
Other Investigators:	Thompson, Professor GE
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:	Goteborg University Poeton Industries Ltd
Department:	Materials
Organisation:	University of Manchester, The
Scheme:	Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts:	01 October 2002	Ends:	31 March 2005	Value (£):	421,701
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:	Materials Synthesis & Growth Materials testing & eng.
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:	Manufacturing
Related Grants:
Panel History:
Summary on Grant Application Form
Describe the proposed research in about 200 words.The project is concerned with plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of light metal alloys to develop ceramic coatings of high hardness (up to about 2500 HV) for wear resistance, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. PEO is a latent technology, relatively unexploited in practice, which has become of increasing commercial interest as demands for higher performance surfaces exceed the limits of conventional hard anodizing. However, the mechanism of growth of the coatings is poorly understood, due to limited study, and there is no general understanding of relationships between the composition of the alloy and the electrolyte, the anodizing conditions and the resultant coating. Further, there is scope for enhancing the properties of coatings by incorporation of ceramic particles using electrophoretic deposition (EPD). In the present programme, the contributions to growth of the coatings of the various participating processes are investigated. In addition, electrophoretc deposition of ceramic particles is explored individually and in combination with anodizing in order to develop improved coatings, with higher hardness and greater durability. The project combines fundamental studies of the nature and the mechanism of formation of the coatings, with evaluation of their tribological properties and corrosion protection, including in industrial applications. In the last respect, the work will be carried out in collaboration with a surface engineering SME, which will allow assessment of the influence of scale-up to commercial anodizing conditions. Further, the project incorporates treatment of titanium for biomedical applications, notably dental implants, in collaboration with the University of Goteborg
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Further Information:
Organisation Website:	http://www.man.ac.uk