Microstructure

Abstract

A microstructure with regularly arranged micropores is obtained by anodizing an aluminum layer having a Vickers hardness Hv of up to 20. The microstructure has a well-ordered region of large surface area and can be manufactured at low cost.

1 . A microstructure comprising regularly arranged micropores which is obtained by anodizing an aluminum layer having a Vickers hardness Hv of up to 20.  
     
     
         2 . A method of producing a microstructure comprising the steps of: 
 heat-treating an aluminum layer at least once at a temperature of at least 200° C. for at least one hour; and    anodizing the heat-treated aluminum layer.    
     
     
         3 . The microstructure of  claim 1 , wherein the regularity of the micropores, expressed as the mean domain size, is at least 2 μm.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the regularity of the micropores, expressed as the mean domain size, is at least 2 μm.