Preparation and properties of Al-Mn alloy coatings in NaCl-KCl-AlCl3-CeCl3 molten salts

Al-Mn alloy coatings were electrodeposited on an iron substrate from AlCl3-NaCl-KCl molten salts with anhydrous MnCl2 enhanced by the addition of CeCl3. The microstructure and properties of the Al-Mn alloy coatings were investigated, and scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and polarization curves were used to determine the composition, surface morphology, phase structure, and corrosion resistance of the obtained deposits. The results showed that the surface coatings were smooth, and that the crystallites were dense and uniform when 0.22 wt.% CeCl3 was added to the molten salt. An amorphous mixture of Al and Al6Mn was obtained. CeCl3 enhanced the corrosion resistance and increased the hardness of the single amorphous phase alloys. The pitting potential of the coating was approximately –1.1239 V, and its hardness was 390 kgf/mm2.