Influence of heat transfer on anodic oxidation of aluminium

The influence of convective heat transfer on constant current density anodizing of aluminium in sulfuric acid has been examined in a wall-jet electrode reactor. The uniformity of the anodic film thickness is related to the local electrode temperature distribution, which is dependent on the convection. The higher the local temperature, the greater the local oxide thickness. An increased local temperature enhances local field assisted oxide dissolution at the pore bases, and consequently acts to increase the local current density. At relatively high current densities, local features develop on the electrode surface, accompanied by high initial, local temperature rises. The relevance of such local features, limiting useful oxide growth, is considered further.