Differences between chromate conversion coatings and sol-gel coatings formed on aluminium and aluminium-copper alloys are highlighted with respect to the formation of cracks, the effect of the substrate composition on coating thickness and the influence of curing in air on coating re-growth. For sol-gel coatings, it is shown that (i) cracking can be eliminated by inclusion of a sufficient amount of organic moieties, (ii) the coating thickness is unaffected by copper and (iii) coating re-growth occurs readily after curing. These attributes are shown to contrast with the significantly different behaviours of chromate conversion coatings. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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