Characterization of the in situ growth manasseite/carbonates composite conversion film on Mg2Zn alloy

A novel manasseite/carbonates composite conversion film on Mg2Zn alloy has been developed by a two-step in situ growth method. A precursor film with cracks is first formed and then it is transformed into a compact, uniform and well adherent manasseite/carbonates composite film. The corrosion tests show that the film can provide an excellent protection to the Mg2Zn alloy. From the comparison between the manasseite and its isomeride hydrotalcite, it can be found that the platelets of the manasseite film stack a little more densely, and the manasseite/carbonates composite film delays the initial corrosion of the Mg substrate more effectively than the hydrotalcite film.