Effects of treatment time on corrosion of diffusion-alloyed coatings of pure magnesium

The corrosion resistance of pure magnesium with surface alloying layer obtained by a solid diffusion alloying technique has been analyzed. To establish the optimum treatment time, the experiments were performed at 480°C for different solid diffusion time (8, 16, and 24h). The diffusion interaction effectiveness between Zn, Al mix powder and the sample surface, depending on the treatment time for diffusion at given temperatures, has an obvious influence on corrosion resistance and corrosion mechanism. Corrosion properties were studied using the constant immersion test (in 3.0% NaCl solution, temperature is (28±1)°C, and time is 96h). Optical microscopy (OM) and EDS (energy dispersive spectrum) composition analysis were used to examine the cross-sectional microstructural characteristics of alloyed layer of treated samples. It is shown that in comparison with the untreated samples, the treated ones possess a better corrosion resistance. The Al5Mg11Zn4 phase, which formed as a continuous phase due to the diffusion of Al, Zn, and Mg elements and subsequent interaction on the outermost layer of diffusion alloying zones (especially the samples treated for 24h at 480°C), was inert to the chloride solution compared with pure magnesium and acted as a corrosion barrier, and therefore the best corrosion resistance was obtained. This protective action of Al5Mg11Zn4 phase was found to change with its amount, which was controlled by the diffusion time at given temperature. It was concluded that the continuous Al5Mg11Zn4 phase (WP-zone) of the reacted layer in pure magnesium was beneficial from the point of view of corrosion resistance.