| Title: | Formation and corrosion-protective performance of zirconium conversion coating on aluminium heat exchanger components |
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| Authors: | ID Kraš, Ana, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Kapun, Barbara, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Kovač, Nina, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Podlogar, Matejka, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Šturm, Sašo, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Milošev, Ingrid, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author)
ID Kralj, Marko (Author)
ID Rodič, Peter, Institut "Jožef Stefan" (Author) |
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| Files: |  URL - Source URL, visit https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/2515-7639/ae80fe
 PDF - Presentation file, download (6,82 MB)
MD5: 69692E7B74B84C99BD3EE332CC3625F8
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| Language: | English |
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| Typology: | 1.01 - Original Scientific Article |
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| Organization: |  IJS - Jožef Stefan Institute
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| Abstract: | This study investigates the corrosion protection of aluminium heat exchangers used in freezers with a zirconium conversion coating (ZrCC). Tube and fins sections were subjected to a three-step surface treatment comprising (i) alkaline cleaning, (ii) acid desmutting, both with commercial SurTec® products, and (iii) deposition of conversion of Zr coating in a hexafluorozirconic acid (H2ZrF6) bath. The resulting surfaces were characterised for morphology, composition, and corrosion behaviour using scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, potentiodynamic polarisation, and neutral salt spray (NSS) testing. Zr formed a ∼70 nm oxide–hydroxide layer that preferentially nucleated and grew on cathodic Fe-containing intermetallic particles in tubes and fins. The coating improved passivity and delayed pit initiation in chloride-containing environments by broadening the passivity span ΔE up to 500 mV. Accelerated corrosion testing in NSS (ASTM B117) demonstrates that ZrCC can provide efficient protection for up to 90 h on tube-and-fin substrates, thereby supporting their implementation in industrial heat-exchanger production. |
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| Keywords: | zirconium conversion coating |
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| Publication status: | Published |
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| Publication version: | Version of Record |
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| Submitted for review: | 14.03.2026 |
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| Article acceptance date: | 23.06.2026 |
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| Publication date: | 10.07.2026 |
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| Publisher: | IOP Publishing |
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| Year of publishing: | 2026 |
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| Number of pages: | 1-23 str. |
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| Numbering: | Vol. 9, iss. 3, [article no.] 035006 |
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| Source: | Združeno kraljestvo |
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| PID: | 20.500.12556/DiRROS-31351  |
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| UDC: | 620.1/.2 |
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| ISSN on article: | 2515-7639 |
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| DOI: | 10.1088/2515-7639/ae80fe |
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| COBISS.SI-ID: | 286127107 |
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| Copyright: | © 2026 The Author(s). |
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| Note: | Nasl. z nasl. zaslona;
Opis vira z dne 27. 7. 2026;
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| Publication date in DiRROS: | 29.07.2026 |
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| Views: | 51 |
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| Downloads: | 35 |
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