Influence of Ga and In on microstructure and electrochemical properties of Mg anodes

The influence of Ga and In on the electrochemical properties of Mg anode materials were investigated by the polarization and galvanostatic curve tests. The microstructure and the corroded surface of the Mg-In-Ga alloys were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The corrosion product of the Mg-0.8%In (mass fraction) and Mg-0.8%Ga-0.3%In alloy were determined by X-ray diffraction. The results show that no second phase exists in the Mg-xIn (x=0-0.8%) allloys. Intergranular compounds containing Ga and In elements occur in the Mg-0.8%In-xGa (x=0-0.8%) alloys. The addition of In into Mg as well as the addition of 0.05%-0.5%Ga into Mg-In alloy promotes the corrosion resistance. The addition of Ga into Mg-In alloys also promotes the electrochemical activity. The Mg-0.8%In-0.8%Ga alloy has the most negative mean potential, −1.682 V, which is more negative than −1.406 V in AZ91D. The corrosion type of the Mg-In-Ga alloys is general corrosion and the corrosion product is Mg(OH)2.