Influence of solution treatment on microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of Mg-4Zn alloy

The solution treatment parameters, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of binary Mg-4Zn alloy were investigated. The results showed that after the solution treatment at 335 °C for 16 h, Mg-4Zn alloy had an ultimate tensile strength of 184.13 MPa and elongation of 9.43%. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical measurements and immersion tests in 3.5% NaCl solution. The results revealed that the corrosion current density of the solution treatment Mg alloy was 11.2 µA/cm−2, it was lower than 15.8 µA/cm−2 for the as-cast Mg alloy under the same conditions, which was greatly associated with the micro-cathode effect of the second phases.