APPLICATION OF ELECTROLYTIC OXIDATION METHODS TO SOLVE SOME PROBLEMS OF PEOPLE WITH DISORDERS OF THE MUSCULOSKELETAL SYSTEM
The possibility of using the methods of traditional anodizing and micro-arc oxidation for processing some products made of aluminum alloys and used in everyday life by people with disorders of the musculoskeletal system has been studied. It is shown that these methods of electrolytic oxidation make it possible to obtain oxide coatings on the surfaces of aluminum alloys, while coatings formed by traditional anodizing mainly consist of amorphous aluminum oxide, have low porosity and low roughness of the outer surfaces, and coatings formed by micro-arc oxidation mainly consist of crystalline aluminum oxide, have low porosity of the inner layers, large porosity of the outer layers and sufficiently high roughness of the outer surfaces. The results of field tests confirmed that the treatment by electrolytic oxidation methods allows to comprehensively improve the performance characteristics of ramps, wheelchairs, walkers, crutches and canes. It is established that the formed coatings protect such products from mechanical and corrosion damage, improve the appearance and increase the coefficient of friction when sliding leather, rubber and polyurethane on their surfaces. It was revealed that the outer surfaces of coatings formed by microarc oxidation exhibit good adhesion with paint and varnish materials, and the outer layers of such coatings are well impregnated with liquid glass, which, when operating products in winter conditions, provides them with protection from icing.