A review of thermal control coatings prepared by micro-arc oxidation on light alloys

Thermal control coatings (TCCs) can help the temperature of satellites and spacecraft to satisfy requirements of internal instruments and payloads. Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technique has been applied to prepare TCCs on aluminum alloys, titanium alloys, magnesium alloys and etc. This paper critically reviews the preparation of TCCs by MAO on light alloys based on existing literatures to provide a better understanding and guide for future researchers. This review firstly describes the formation mechanism and advantages of MAO coatings. Subsequently, the main influencing factors for preparation of MAO TCCs has been introduced. Moreover, the relationship between structural characteristics and thermal control properties are discussed in detail. The other performances, such as thermal stability of MAO TCCs needed in the application in aerospace, have also been mentioned. The existing issues and future perspectives are finally discussed to further accelerate extensive applications of MAO to prepare TCCs.