Study of the formation and growth of tannic acid based conversion coating on AZ91D magnesium alloy

A tannic acid based conversion coating was formed on AZ91D magnesium alloy through a solution containing C₇₆H₅₂O₄₆ (tannic acid), NH₄VO₃, K₂ZrF₆ and H₃PO₄. The growth process and corrosion resistance of the conversion coating were investigated by SEM, FESEM, XPS, IR, potentiodynamic polarization and EIS test. The results showed that the main components of the coatings were penta-hydroxy benzamide–magnesium complex, Al₂O₃ and MgF₂. Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O(α-ZrP) was first formed in the time interval of 70 s–120 s, which acted as catalyst to activate the main reaction of gallic acid being oxidized into the penta-hydroxy benzamide–magnesium complex, as well as the formation of MgF₂ and Al₂O₃, which took place in the time interval of 120 s to 600 s. The thickness of coating treated for 300 s and 600 s was 1.1 μm and 1.6 μm, respectively. Polarization measurement and EIS test in 3 wt.% NaCl solution indicated that the conversion coating treated for about 300–600 s shows good corrosion resistance while an excess time treatment (720 s) induces the coating surface coarse and uneven, leading to the reduction of corrosion resistance of the conversion coating.