“…A study of microdischarge characteristics, especially their time dependence and thermal effects on the surface layers formed (in particular under AC regimes of PEO), remains therefore of great interest. Unfortunately, this issue was not properly addressed in any of the more recent works on AC PEO process characterization [17][18][19][20][21]. In this study, we shall, therefore, discuss a correlation between the oxide ceramic layer formation process and the spatial characteristics of microdischarges appearing at the surface of an Al alloy during AC PEO, and, also, estimate electrical parameters of the microdischarges and their thermal effect on the surface layer.…”