Effect of Electrolyte Composition on Corrosion Behavior of PEO Treated AZ91 Mg Alloy

Abstract

Mg and Mg alloys have been used for lots of applications, including automobile industry, aerospace, mobile phone and computer parts owing to low density. However, Mg and Mg alloys have a restricted application because of poor corrosion properties. Thus, improved surface treatments are required to produce protective films that protect the substrate from corrosive environments. Environmental friendly Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation (PEO) has been widely investigated on magnesium alloys. PEO process combines electrochemical oxidation with plasma treatment in the aqueous solution. In this study, AZ91 Mg alloys were treated by PEO process in controlling the current with PC condition and treated time, concentration of NaF, NaOH, and Na2SiO3. The surface morphology and phase composition were analyzed using SEM, EDS and XRD. The potentiodynamic polarization tests were carried out for the analysis of corrosion properties of specimen. Additionally, salt spray tests were carried out to examine and compare the corrosion properties of the PEO treated Mg alloys.