Phosphate film free of chromate, fluoride and nitrite on AZ31 magnesium alloy and its corrosion resistance

A phosphate solution free of chromate, fluoride and nitrite was prepared and an environment-friendly film was obtained on AZ31 magnesium alloy surface via the chemical deposition method. The morphology, composition, phase structure and its corrosion resistance were studied. The effects of film-forming temperature and free acid on corrosion resistance, microstructure and electrochemical behavior of the film were discussed. The results indicate that the corrosion resistance of AZ31 with the phosphate film was better than blank AZ31 substrate, which was most attributed to the great inhibitive action on the anodic dissolution and cathodic hydrogen evolution of the film.