Corrosion behavior of equal-channel-angular-pressed pure magnesium in NaCl aqueous solution

Effect of microstructure change on corrosion behavior of equal-channel-angular-pressed (ECAPed) pure Mg was investigated. The ECAPed sample after 6 passes obtained finer grains (50-100 μm) compared with as-cast one (800-1500 μm). The strain-induced grain refinement with more crystalline defects weakened corrosion resistance of pure Mg, resulting in more and deeper pits after in-situ corrosion, higher mass-loss rate immersed in NaCl solution, larger I_corr values in polarization curves and lower fitted R_t values in EIS plots. However, the enhanced initial OCP values indicate better weather resistance. Furthermore, corrosion improvement can be expected by reducing defects via subsequent annealing.     

The use of microcapillary techniques to study the corrosion resistance of AZ91 magnesium alloy at the microscale

The AZ91 alloy is composed of Mg₁₇(Al, Zn)₁₂ precipitates, an eutectic phase around these precipitates, AlMn intermetallic particles and an α-Mg solid solution (matrix). The corrosion behaviour of AZ91 was investigated at the microscale by means of the electrochemical microcell technique, which uses extremely small capillaries (diameters between 5 and 10 μm). Experiments were conducted in 0.1 M NaClO₄ at 25 °C. The β-Mg₁₇(Al, Zn)₁₂ precipitates were found to have the highest corrosion resistance, whereas the eutectic phase was very active (pitting potential of approximately −1400 mV vs. Ag/AgCl). The α-Mg solid solution displayed better corrosion resistance than the eutectic phase.     

Effect of heat treatment on corrosion behaviour of magnesium alloy AZ91D in simulated body fluid

The research explored ways of improving corrosion behaviour of AZ91D magnesium alloy through heat treatment for degradable biocompatible implant application. Corrosion resistance of heat-treated samples is studied in simulated body fluid at 37 °C using immersion and electrochemical testing. Heat treatment significantly affected microgalvanic corrosion behaviour between cathodic β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase and anodic α-Mg matrix. In T4 microstructure, dissolution of the β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ phase decreased the cathode-to-anode area ratio, leading to accelerated corrosion of α-Mg matrix. Fine β-Mg₁₇Al₁₂ precipitates in T6 microstructure facilitated intergranular corrosion and pitting, but the rate of corrosion was less than those of as-cast and T4 microstructures.     

Effect of α-Al/Al3Ni microstructure on the corrosion behaviour of Al-5.4 wt% Ni alloy fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing

The effect of microstructure on corrosion behaviour of an Al-5.4 wt% Ni alloy fabricated by equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) was investigated by means of potentiodynamic polarization test. The Al-5.4 wt% Ni alloy samples were severely deformed by ECAP with two strain introduction methods of route A and route B_C and the ECAP process was repetitively carried out up to 6 passes (strain 6). The anodic polarization measurements indicated that pitting potential of the ECAPed Al-Ni alloy samples in chloride containing neutral buffer solution increased with ECAP passes. The pitting corrosion resistance of Al-Ni alloy after ECAP by route B_C was better than that by route A. It is attributable to that the size of α-Al crystal region was reduced with ECAP passes and route B_C was able to obtain more homogeneous α-Al/Al₃Ni structure than route A. On the other hand, pitting corrosion resistance of pure Al samples showed an obvious declining with increasing ECAP passes. It was indicated that more homogeneous and finer α-Al/Al₃Ni structure obtained by ECAP played a vital role on improving the corrosion resistance of Al-5.4 wt% Ni alloy.     

Corrosion behaviour of magnesium/aluminium alloys in 3.5 wt.% NaCl

Corrosion behaviour of commercial magnesium/aluminium alloys (AZ31, AZ80 and AZ91D) was investigated by electrochemical and gravimetric tests in 3.5 wt.% NaCl at 25 °C. Corrosion products were analysed by scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and low-angle X-ray diffraction. Corrosion damage was mainly caused by formation of a Mg(OH)₂ corrosion layer. AZ80 and AZ91D alloys revealed the highest corrosion resistance. The relatively fine β-phase (Mg₁₇Al₁₂) network and the aluminium enrichment produced on the corroded surface were the key factors limiting progression of the corrosion attack. Preferential attack was located at the matrix/β-phase and matrix/MnAl intermetallic compounds interfaces.     

Microstructure and corrosion behavior of die-cast AM60B magnesium alloys in a complex salt solution: A slow positron beam study

The microstructure and corrosion behavior of high pressure die-cast (HPDC) and super vacuum die-cast (SVDC) AM60B magnesium alloys were investigated in a complex salt solution using slow positron beam technique and potentiodynamic polarization tests. The experiments revealed that a CaCO₃ film was formed on the surface of the alloys and that the rate of CaCO₃ formation for the SVDC alloy with immersion time was slower than that of the HPDC alloy. The larger volume fraction of β-phase in the skin layer of the SVDC alloy than that of the HPDC alloy was responsible for the better corrosion resistance.     

Magnesium secondary alloys: Alloy design for magnesium alloys with improved tolerance limits against impurities

The development of secondary magnesium alloys requires a completely different concept compared with standard alloys which obtain their corrosion resistance by reducing the levels of impurities below certain alloy and process depending limits. The present approach suitable for Mg-Al based cast and wrought alloys uses a new concept replacing the β-phase by τ-phase, which is able to incorporate more impurities while being electro-chemically less detrimental to the matrix. The overall experimental effort correlating composition, microstructure and corrosion resistance was reduced by using thermodynamic calculations to optimise the alloy composition. The outcome is a new, more impurity tolerant alloy class with a composition between the standard AZ and ZC systems having sufficient ductility and corrosion properties comparable to the high purity standard alloys.     

Effects of solution heat-treatment and nitrogen in shielding gas on the resistance to pitting corrosion of hyper duplex stainless steel welds

The effects of solution heat-treatment and shielding gas on the pitting corrosion of hyper duplex stainless steel (HDSS) welds were investigated in highly concentrated chloride environments. The pitting resistance of a solution heat-treated HDSS after welding with an Ar shielding gas supplemented with N₂ was greatly increased due to the dissolution of Cr₂N in α-phase, which followed the diffusion of N atoms from the α-phase to the γ-phase and an increase of the γ-phase in the weld metal and heat affected zone. It was also attributed to a decrease of the pitting resistance equivalent number difference between the two phases.     

Transformation hysteresis and shape memory effect of an ultrafine-grained TiNiNb shape memory alloy

In present work, transformation hysteresis and shape memory effect of an ultrafine-grained Ti₄₄Ni₄₇Nb₉ alloy processed by ECAP were studied. After deformation, the ECAPed sample showed a much wider transformation hysteresis than the initial sample due to the enlarged strength mismatch between matrix and β-Nb phase. The shape memory effect and its cycling stability of the ECAPed sample were obviously improved.     

Effect of thermomechanical treatment on the corrosion of AA5083

Corrosion resistance degradation induced by the presence of β-phase (Al₃Mg₂) limits the performance of aluminum alloy 5083 for some critical applications. The effect of thermomechanical treatment on the corrosion of AA5083 is presented in this paper. The samples subjected to the thermomechanical treatment showed superior corrosion resistance compared to the as-received samples. The effects of grain boundary character distribution, grain shape, texture, and precipitates on corrosion are discussed based on experimental observations. Special boundaries are expected to have a weak effect on the overall corrosion resistance of the material compared to the other factors.     

Significantly changed intergranular corrosion and exfoliation corrosion behavior of the ultra‐fine grained Al–5 mass% Cu alloy fabricated by ECAP

Significantly changed intergranular corrosion (IGC) and exfoliation corrosion (EFC) behaviors of the equal‐channel‐angular‐pressed (ECAPed) Al–Cu alloy were discovered through immersion test, electrochemical measurements, and microstructure observation. The ECAPed alloys with ultra‐fine grained (UFG) α(Al) matrix and extremely refined θ‐phase particles displayed obvious decreased IGC sensitivity, but deteriorated susceptibility to EFC. The decreased IGC sensitivity of ECAPed alloys presented decreased IGC propagation depths in immersion test in NaCl + H₂O₂ solutions and increased polarization resistance in electrochemical impedance spectrum test in MIL‐H‐600 solution. The reason for the decreased IGC sensitivity was the breakage of the net structure of θ phase during ECAP process, which destroys the continuity of IGC propagation channel. The deteriorated susceptibility to EFC of ECAPed alloys in EXCO solution presented gradual evolution from serious IGC attack into obvious lamellar EFC, and finally complete dissolution of surface grains. Meanwhile, the EFC propagation depths were sharply decreased with the increasing ECAP passes. This phenomenon was caused by the aspects ratio evolution of deformed grains and the gradually decreased IGC sensitivity of the ECAPed alloys.     

Inert anode composed of Ni–Cr alloy substrate, intermediate oxide film and α-Al2O3/Au (Au–Pt, Au–Pd, Au–Rh) surface composite coating for aluminium electrolysis

An inert anode composed of alloy substrate, intermediate oxide film and surface composite coating for aluminium electrolysis has been fabricated. The intermediate oxide film (ZrO₂/Y₂O₃) provides good adhesion and mutual diffusion resistance between the substrate and the surface coating which consists of α-Al₂O₃ particles embedded in Au (Au–Pt, Au–Pd, Au–Rh) matrix. The results of electrolysis test revealed that aluminium with high purity (>99.999%) can be produced. It is demonstrated that the inert anode exhibits superior erosion and corrosion resistance during aluminium electrolysis, especially in low-temperature (800 °C) electrolytes.     

The effects of heat treatment and zirconium on the corrosion behaviour of Mg-3Nd-0.2Zn-0.4Zr (wt.%) alloy

The corrosion behaviours of Mg-3Nd-0.2Zn (wt.%) (NZ) and Mg-3Nd-0.2Zn-0.4Zr (wt.%) (NZK) alloys were investigated in as-cast (F), solution-treated (T4) and artificially-aged (T6) conditions in 5% NaCl solution using immersion test and electrochemical measurements. The immersion test indicates that both NZ and NZK alloys exhibit better corrosion resistances in T4 and T6 states than in the F condition due to the galvanic corrosion between the cathodic Mg₁₂Nd compound and the anodic α matrix in the F condition. The NZK alloy demonstrates lower corrosion rates than the NZ alloy in three conditions, which indicates that the addition of zirconium has a beneficial effect on the corrosion resistance. It was discovered by field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) that the corrosion products of NZK-T6 formed in salt solution are composed of sandwich shape compounds, while that of NZ-T6 is composed of fine needle-like compounds and small particles. The former are more uniform and compact than the latter and can play a more protective role for the alloy. Electrochemical measurements also confirmed that the more protective film formed on the NZK than on the NZ alloy.     

Electrodeposition of chemically and mechanically protective Al-coatings on AZ91D Mg alloy

Electrodeposition of aluminium coatings upon AZ91D in aluminum chloride/1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid was achieved. Post-plating heat treatment processes compatible with AZ91D solution treatment (420 °C) and aging treatment (200 °C) were explored to improve coatings adhesion and hardness, and to maintain corrosion resistance. 420 °C treatment produced a β-phase (Mg₁₇Al₁₂) enriched two-phase coating; whilst treatment at 200 °C leads to a tri-layer structure, rich in γ-phase (Mg₂Al₃). The 200 °C treatment was shown to be most effective for corrosion resistance, eradicating water reduction as the principal cathodic reaction and increasing surface hardness.     

Influence of chloride ion concentration and temperature on the corrosion of Mg-Al alloys in salt fog

The influence of temperature and chloride concentration on the corrosion behaviour of Mg-Al alloys exposed to salt fog was evaluated. Corrosion attack increased with decreasing aluminium content in the alloy and increasing Cl⁻ concentration and temperature. The effect of Al-Mn inclusions, which revealed several stoichiometries and were up to 300 mV more noble than the magnesium matrix, was only noticeable in the early stages of corrosion of the AZ31 alloy. Aluminium segregation and β-phase distribution were the main controlling factors for the AZ80 and AZ91D alloys, the latter being more susceptible to variations in the saline concentration.     

Corrosion behaviour of magnetron sputtered α- and β-Ta coatings on AISI 4340 steel as a function of coating thickness

The corrosion behaviour of magnetron sputtered α- and β-Ta coated AISI 4340 steels was studied with potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The coating porosity was observed to decrease with increasing coating thickness. For coatings less than 10 μm thick (α- or β-Ta), porosity was significant and open pores resulted in severe localized corrosion of the steel substrate, coating delamination, and overall coating failure. Additionally, the β-Ta coatings were more susceptible than the α-phase to delamination. As for the 50 and 100 μm thick α-Ta coatings, the electrochemical impedance behaviour was comparable to that of Ta foil, demonstrating the coating viability and corrosion resistance.     

Identifying the role of nanoscale heterogeneities in pitting behaviour of Al-based metallic glass

To clarify the correlation of nanoscale heterogeneity with corrosion in Al-based metallic glasses, three model alloys with a single nanoscale α-Al, Al₃Ni or Al₁₁Ce₃ phase embedded in amorphous Al-Ni-Ce alloy matrix were obtained directly by melt quenching. The results indicated that the high pitting corrosion resistance of AM alloys was not deteriorated by nanocrystalline α-Al precipitation; whereas the pitting potential was slightly decreased and considerably reduced relative to their amorphous state due to the precipitation of nanocrystalline Al₃Ni or Al₁₁Ce₃ respectively. Such a pitting sensitivity of different types of heterogeneities attributes to the nano-scale pit initiation events.     

Heat-transfer corrosion behaviour of cast Al alloy

Heat-transfer corrosion behaviour of an ISO 2379 cast Al alloy was studied in antifreeze radiator coolant under heat-rejecting condition. Extensive analyses of microstructures and corroded surfaces were carried out under the optical microscope, scanning electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffractometer. Heat-rejecting condition led to a cavitation process and cavities were observed within the α-Al matrix. Crevice corrosion was predominant at oxygen depleted regions in heat-transfer corrosion cell. Al₂Cu, Al₁₅(Fe,Mn)₃Si₂ dendrites, Al₄Cu₂Mg₈Si₇ and Si phases served as the effective cathodes resulting microgalvanic corrosion at the anodic site of α-Al matrix.     

Microstructure and some properties of aluminium alloy AA6061 reinforced in situ formed zirconium diboride particulate stir cast composite

The objective of this work is to fabricate aluminium alloy AA6061 reinforced with ZrB₂ particles (10 wt-%) by the in situ reaction of K₂ZrF₆ and KBF₄ salts with molten aluminium. The microstructure, tensile strength, wear resistance and corrosion rate of the fabricated composite were compared with those of matrix alloy. The in situ formed ZrB₂ particles were uniformly dispersed in the aluminium matrix predominantly concentrated in inter granular regions and refined the microstructure of the matrix alloy. The incorporation of in situ formed ZrB₂ particles into the aluminium matrix improved tensile strength and wear resistance but reduced ductility and corrosion resistance.     

Effect of high temperature heat treatment on intergranular corrosion of AlMgSi(Cu) model alloy

Copper containing 6000-series aluminium alloys may become susceptible to intergranular corrosion (IGC) as a result of improper thermomechanical processing. Effect of cooling rate after solution heat treatment on the corrosion behaviour of a model AlMgSi(Cu) alloy of nominal composition (wt%) 0.6 Mg, 0.6 Si, 0.2 Fe, 0.2 Mn and 0.1 Cu was investigated. Slow cooling rates were simulated by isothermal treatment for predetermined times in lower temperature baths immediately after solution heat treatment. Treatment for 10-100 s at temperatures below 400 °C introduced susceptibility to IGC. Longer heat treatment at the same temperatures introduced susceptibility to pitting. A corrosion resistant time zone was found between the zones of IGC and pitting at temperatures lower than 350 °C. Quenching in water after solution heat treatment prevented IGC. IGC was related to microgalvanic coupling between the noble Q-phase (Al₄Mg₈Si₇Cu₂) grain boundary precipitates and the adjacent depleted zone. Pitting was attributed to coarse particles in the matrix. Possible mechanisms causing the corrosion resistant intermediate zone are discussed. The results indicate possible methods for obtaining increased corrosion resistance of similar alloys by proper thermal processing.