A dense ceramic oxide coating approximately 100 mm thick was prepared on a 7075 Al alloy by microarc oxidation in an alkali-silicate electrolytic solution. Coating thickness and surface roughness (Ra ) were measured during coating formation. The a influence of current density, electrolyte temperature and inter-electrode distance on coating kinetics was investigated. Microstructure and phase compositions were analysed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The microhardness of the coating was also measured. The tribological performance of the coatings was evaluated using a dry sand abrasion test, a solid particle erosion test and a pin-on-disc sliding wear test. In addition, the results are compared to detonation-sprayed alumina (Al2O3) coating and bulk Al2O3 . The basic mechanism of microarc coating formation is explained. The material removal mechanism during solid particle erosion was investigated, and structure-property correlations were established. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.