Anodic spark coatings on aluminium alloy were prepared in aqueous electrolytes with sodium tungstate. The influence of boric acid addition in the electrolyte on the surface morphology, elemental and phase composition of the coatings was investigated. In both cases the coatings contained 0, Al and W. The coatings obtained in electrolyte with boric acid and sodium tungstate contain also B at approximately I at.%. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the coatings had three layers: the grey underlayer of anodic alumina, the second black layer of crystalline or amorphous aluminium tungstate agglomerated into fibers and the outer green layer of WO3. It was proposed that isopoly-and heteropolyanions in the electrolyte used take part in the coating growth. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.