Air Plasma Preparation of Aluminum Alloy Surfaces for Pretreatments

New methods are needed to prepare aluminum alloys for protective coatings in aerospace applications. These new treatments should result in greater performance and less hazards, wastes, and costs. Air plasma surface treatments have emerged as a safe, fast, and cost-effective means of cleaning and increasing the wettability of aluminum materials. The air plasma pretreatments however require adaptation to aluminum aerospace alloys as well as performance validation. The plasma will be modified to enhance the chemical effects required for improved performance of the high strength aluminum alloys. The effects include suppressing magnesium enrichment in the surface oxides, remediating interfacial copper intermetallic particles, hydration, and decomposition of contaminating organics. The proposed work will also establish the ability to non-invasively monitor the quality of the surface treatment. Luna Innovations has the expertise and resources necessary for establishing the value of treating alloy surfaces with modified air plasma for aerospace applications.