Oxidation behaviour of molten magnesium and AZ91D magnesium alloy in 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane/air atmospheres

The oxidation rates, the morphologies and compositions of the surface films on molten magnesium and AZ91D alloy in covering gas of 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane/air at 760 °C were investigated using thermogravimetric techniques, SEM, XRD and XPS. The oxidation rates of the two melts followed parabolic law in the atmosphere of high concentrate 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane, and obeyed linear law in the atmosphere of low concentrate 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. But the oxidation rates of molten magnesium and AZ91D alloy presented a certain difference. The oxidation products on its surface films were composed of MgF2 which played an import role to prevent the molten oxidation and other compounds.