Effects of size and position of an unconnected aluminum electrode on bipolar anodization in an AC electric field

The effects of the size and position of an aluminum bipolar electrode (BPE) on the uniformity of formation of anodic porous alumina in an alternating current electric field were investigated. Anodized specimens were dyed, and the resistance was measured after the specimens were anodized again. Phenomena observed during film formation indicated that the BPEs had unique potential distributions that strongly depended on their length and width. The color variations and electrical resistance of the BPEs were symmetrical and varied from the centers of the BPEs to their ends. When multiple BPEs were processed at the same time, their position in the non-uniform electric field was demonstrated to be an important factor for controlling the uniformity of film formation. The best results were obtained when the BPE was placed at the center of the defined space.