Lightweight metals like aluminum and magnesium offer outstanding specific strength at low cost — but their soft surfaces are prone to wear and corrosion. Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO), also known as Micro-Arc Oxidation (MAO), solves that problem by growing a very hard, highly adherent oxide layer directly from the base metal.
Why PEO?
Unlike standard anodization, which produces amorphous oxides, PEO forms crystalline oxide layers with sapphire-like properties: incredibly hard, wear-resistant, electrically insulating, and corrosion-resistant. And unlike chrome plating or hard anodizing, the process runs in environmentally friendly, dilute chemistries.
Benefits
- Dramatic improvement in surface hardness and wear resistance
- Excellent corrosion protection
- Strong dielectric isolation
- Environmentally benign process chemistry
- Superior strength at lower expense than traditional treatments
Materials
PEO is effective on aluminum, magnesium, and titanium alloys.
Applications
- Structural components for transportation
- Aerospace and defense hardware
- Dielectric isolation layers
- Heat sinks
- General hardness and corrosion-resistance upgrades for lightweight parts