In this study, we present the inexpensive fabrication of titania and silica thin films on an aluminum substrate to enhance corrosion resistance, as well as the ability to reflect infrared radiation and protect the temperature, extending the substrate’s useful life using a sol-gel dip coating approach. The coating crystal structure was studied using an X-ray diffraction (XRD), which revealed that the titania was anatase and the silica was amorphous with their characteristic peaks at Bragg angle 25° and 22°, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies on the titania and silica-coated alumina sandwich pipes demonstrated the formation of Ti-O-Ti and Si-O-Si functional bonds at wave numbers 520 cm^-1 and 980 cm^-1, respectively. The surface morphology of the coating was investigated using the field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and found uniformity of the coating without any cracks and any other defects. The EDX (energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy) analysis on the coating endorsed the existence of Ti, and Si elements of the coating with a percentage of 33.5% and 33%, respectively. The investigation of ultraviolet-visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (UV-Vis-NIR) in the diffused reflectance mode of the coating indicated that the coating may reflect infrared radiation and shield the sandwich pipe, extending the coating’s life. Furthermore, corrosion resistance tests on the coating using ASTM B117 standards revealed that the coating can withstand corrosion for more than 72 h when tested with 5% NaCl (sodium chloride) solution.

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