Comparison of corrosion behaviors of AZ31, AZ91, AM60 and ZK60 magnesium alloys

The corrosion behaviours of four kinds of rolled magnesium alloys of AZ31, AZ91, AM60 and ZK60 were studied in 1 mol/L sodium chloride solution. The results of EIS and potentiodynamic polarization show that the corrosion resistance of the four materials is ranked as ZK60>AM60>AZ31>AZ91. The corrosion processes of the four magnesium alloys were also analyzed by SEM and energy dispersive spectroscopy(EDS). The results show that the corrosion patterns of the four alloys are localized corrosion and the galvanic couples formed by the second phase particles and the matrix are the main source of the localized corrosion of magnesium alloys. The corrosion resistance of the different magnesium alloys has direct relationship with the concentration of alloying elements and microstructure of magnesium alloys. The ratio of the β phase in AZ91 is higher than that in AZ31 and the β phase can form micro-galvanic cell with the alloy matrix, as a result, the corrosion resistance of AZ31 will be higher than AZ91. The manganese element in AM60 magnesium alloy can form the second phase particle of AlMnFe, which can reduce the Fe content in magnesium alloy matrix, purifying the microstructure of alloy, as a result, the corrosion resistance of AM60 is improved. However, due to the more noble galvanic couples of AlMnFe and matrix, the microscopic corrosion morphology of AM60 is more localized. The zirconium element in ZK60 magnesium alloy can refine grain, form stable compounds with Fe and Si, and purify the composition of alloy, which results in the good corrosion resistance of ZK60 magnesium alloy.