The effect of deposition voltage on microstructure and properties of silver-containing porous Al alloy

Abstract

6061 Al alloy has been extensively utilized due to its lightweight nature and excellent mechanical properties. However, its insufficient antibacterial performance limits its applications in medical and specialized environments. To overcome this limitation, this study focuses on the development of a surface functionalization technology for aluminum alloys, aiming to achieve enhanced wear resistance and superior antibacterial properties. In this paper, a silver (Ag)-containing porous layer was prepared on the surface of a 6061 Al alloy using electrochemical pore-forming and Ag⁺ deposition techniques. The effects of different deposition voltages on the microstructure, wear resistance, and antimicrobial properties of the porous layer of 6061 antimicrobial Al alloy were investigated. The results show that Ag in the porous layer primarily combines with O²⁻ and SO₄²⁻ in the form of Ag⁺ to form phases such as Ag₂O and Ag₂SO₄, which appear as white particles. A deposition voltage of 25 V yielded the highest Ag content of 1.92 wt% on the surface of the porous layer, resulting in the best abrasion resistance, and antimicrobial properties. Under these conditions, the wear volume, and antimicrobial rate were 0.067 mm³, and 97.75 %, respectively. In conclusion, the wear resistance, and antibacterial performance of 6061 Al alloys improve with increasing Ag⁺ deposition voltage.