What is a non-electrolytic chemical treatment for aluminum alloys that increases corrosion resistance and paint-bonding qualities?

The process of alodizing is a non-electrolytic chemical treatment specifically designed for aluminum alloys. This treatment enhances the corrosion resistance of the aluminum surface while also improving its ability to bond with paints and other coatings. Alodizing involves a conversion of the aluminum surface into a durable oxide layer that is non-porous, providing excellent protection against environmental factors that can lead to corrosion.

Alodizing is particularly beneficial in aerospace applications, where weight savings are critical, and the protection of aircraft components from corrosion is essential for safety and longevity. The fact that this process is non-electrolytic means that it does not require an electric current, making it simpler and more cost-effective compared to other methods, such as anodizing, which does require electricity to form its protective oxide layer.

The other options, while they have distinct applications in the treatment of aluminum and other materials, do not specifically match the criteria of a non-electrolytic process that simultaneously improves corrosion resistance and paint bondability as effectively as alodizing.