ABSTRACT
The continuously growing requirements for the quality of the structures need innovative solutions for surface treatment technologies. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) is the most promising eco-friendly one-step process of multifunctional composite coatings formation, on the surface of light structural metals (e.g. Al, Mg and Ti) and their alloys. The coatings significantly extend the field of application and improve the quality of both new and existing functional materials. This chapter summarizes different aspects of using these materials in the biomedical sphere, as well as for corrosion protection. Special attention was paid to recent research focusing on innovative approaches for wear-resistant, anticorrosive, biocompatible (bioinert and bioactive) coatings synthesis using PEO; main advantages of these processes, such as the influence of the nature and concentration of the electrolyte components on the properties of the coatings, are discussed.
