Electrochemical etching of Al with alternating current produces a high density of cubic etch pits covered with a film of oxide or hydroxide. Micrographs of the metal and film structures are presented and a model is proposed to explain the observations. Calculations demonstrate the feasibility of film deposition from acid solution when a high cathodic current density is applied. A critical feature is that the high aluminum salt concentration near the metal surface hinders proton mobility.
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