Effect of tartaric acid on anodic behaviour of titanium alloy

Anodic oxidation of titanium alloy Ti-6·5Al-1Mo-1V-2Zr was carried out in sulphuric acid and tartaric acid/sulphuric acid. The effect of tartaric acid on the growth process of sulphuric anodic film on titanium alloy was evaluated using scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, Raman spectroscope, inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscope and X-ray photoelectron spectroscope. The presence of tartaric acid in sulphuric acid reduced the crystallinity of the anodic film and decreased the intensity of oxygen evolution in the pores of the anodic film. Further, the dissolution rate of the anodic film was also reduced by the addition of tartaric acid. Therefore, the growth rate of the anodic film on the titanium alloy was accelerated by the addition of 40 g L^-1 tartaric acid in sulphuric acid electrolyte.