Wettability and corrosion of alumina embedded nanocomposite MAO coating on nanocrystalline AZ31B magnesium alloy

In this paper, micro- and nanocrystalline AZ31B magnesium alloy were coated by micro-arc oxidation method. In order to fabricate nanocrystalline surface layer, surface mechanical attrition treatment was performed and nano-grains with average size of 5-10 nm were formed on the surface of the samples. Coating process was carried out at different conditions including two coating times and two types of electrolyte. Alumina nanoparticles were utilized as suspension in electrolyte to form nanocomposite coatings by micro-arc oxidation method. Potentiodynamic polarization, percentage of porosity, and wettability tests were performed to study various characteristics of the coated samples. The results of scanning electron microscope imply that samples coated in silicate-based electrolyte involve much lower surface porosity (∼25%). Besides, the results of wettability test indicated that the maximum surface tension with deionized water is for nanocrystalline sample. In this regard, the sample coated in silicate-based suspension was 4 times more hydrophilic than the microcrystalline sample.