Effect of Electrolyte Concentration on the Structure and Corrosion Resistance of Anodic Films Formed on Magnesium through Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation

The thickness and corrosion resistance of films formed on AZ31 magnesium alloys through plasma electrolytic oxidation for the same amount of electricity supplied increased with decreasing electrolyte concentration irrespective of the current density. For all electrolytes of phosphate, silicate, and aluminate, the initial bending/breakdown voltage increased linearly with the logarithm of the decreasing electrolyte concentration and exhibited no dependence on the current density. The chemical composition of the films was independent of all electrolysis conditions such as electrolyte concentration, current density, and anodization time. This behavior is explained by a mechanism in which anion incorporation is governed by a chemical reaction/precipitation under plasma but not by the electric field, unlike the case for conventional anodizing of valve metals without sparking. The corrosion resistance of the films tended to increase as a function of the logarithm of the film thickness, irrespective of the electrolyte species and electrolysis conditions.

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