Chemistry

Aluminum Nitride Corrodes in Boiling Water But Oxidation Provides Protection

Aluminum Nitride Corrodes in Boiling Water But Oxidation Provides Protection

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This study investigates the corrosion behavior of aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramic material when exposed to prolonged pool-boiling conditions in water. The researchers found that AlN undergoes significant corrosion due to hydrolysis reactions during extended water boiling, but demonstrated that pre-oxidizing the AlN surface creates a protective aluminum oxide layer that effectively mitigates this corrosion. The oxidation treatment substantially improves the material's resistance to water-based degradation while maintaining its thermal properties.


This research is important for developing more durable AlN-based heat exchangers and cooling systems that use water as a coolant, particularly in high-performance electronics and power systems. The simple oxidation pretreatment method offers a practical solution for extending the lifetime of AlN components in wet thermal management applications.


Source: Corrosion of aluminum nitride under prolonged pool-boiling in water and corrosion mitigation by oxidation