Plasma electrolytic oxidation （PEO） coatings are prepared on aluminium with graphite powders added into the electrolyte. The scanning electron microscopy （SEM） coupled with an energy dispersive x-ray analysis system （EDX） is used to characterize the surface and the cross-section morphologies of the coatings. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS） is used not only to evaluate the corrosion resistance but also to analyse the structure of the coating. Results show that graphite powders are embedded in the PEO coating. The corrosion resistances of both the inner barrier and the outer porous layer are greatly improved, and the EIS could give some valuable detailed information about the coating structure.
The surface carbonitriding of cast iron is investigated in an aqueous solution of acetamide and glycerin. Microstructure, chemical and phase composition and corrosion performance of the carbonitriding layers are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and x-ray diffraction, as well as potentiodynamic polarization testing. X-ray diffraction results show that the carbonitriding coatings are composed of martensite, anstenite（γ-Fe）, Fe2C, Fe3C, Fe5 C2, FeN and ε-Fe2-3N. After the plasma electrolytic carbonitriding treatment the corrosion resistance of cast iron is clearly improved compared to the substrate, and the coatings produced at 350 V for 30s give the best corrosion resistance.
