Influence of electrolyte on corrosion properties of plasma electrolytic conversion coated magnesium alloys

The synthesis of oxides in a low-temperature electrolytic plasma allows to cover surfaces of magnesium and its alloys with multifunctional protective oxide-ceramic coatings. The corrosion properties of these layers are strongly dependent on their porosity. In order to minimize the porosity and to optimize the corrosion properties of the layers, the electrolyte concentration and composition (addition of CrO3 as corrosion inhibitor) were varied, and the influences on layer structure, composition, and properties with a main focus on corrosion behaviour were studied.The corrosion properties of various layers thus generated were studied in 5% NaCl solution by measuring electrochemical polarization curves and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at pH 3 and 6. Using XRD, LM, SEM and EDX to evaluate the composition and microstructure of the modified surfaces, the corrosion results were related to the microstructure and composition of the specific layer. The better results were obtained for layers produced at higher electrolyte concentration, whereas the addition of CrO3 had no significant beneficial effect.