Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTSElectrochemical coating processes play an important role in surface technology due to their robustness and scalability. To give surfaces new functional properties - such as increased wear and corrosion resistance - Fraunhofer IKTS uses electrochemical deposition (electroplating) and electrolytic oxidation (anodizing).
Both processes can be used for many other innovative functionalities:
- Embedding of ceramic particles (sub-micrometer range) in metal layers (dispersion layers)
- Combination of metals for novel alloy layers or reactive layer systems (multilayers for bonding processes)
- Process combinations of deposition and oxidation for the production of porous electrodes for energy storage (tin oxide as anode in lithium-ion batteries) or sensor technology
- Deposition of aluminum from non-aqueous electrolytes (ionic liquids) combined with electrolytic oxidation to give conductive surfaces similar properties
- Coatings with metal particles in the nanometer range for electrocatalytic surface modification
Alternative approaches outside of traditional surface technology such as nickel plating, hard chrome or anodizing are required for the implementation of new process strategies. Research and development is supported by an extensive pool of electrochemical analysis methods (coulometry, EQCM, in-operando XRD, polarography, etc.) as well as material and element analysis.
The electrophoretic coating of conductive components is also used to adapt the functionality of surfaces in sintering processes and ceramic composites, for example to optimize the controlled propagation of cracks.
