The effect of high-intensity pulsed ion beam on surface structures of MAO film on magnesium alloy AZ31

Micro-arc oxidation (MAO) films on AZ31 magnesium alloy were modified by high-intensity pulsed ion beam (HIPIB) irradiation with ion energy of 300 keV at 200 A/cm2 with up to 10 shots. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and micro-hardness testers were used to characterize the surface properties of the irradiated MAO films. The thickness of remelted layer increased and then decreased, and the maximal value of 10 μm was obtained at 200 A/cm2 with 5 shots. The phase structure of the ablated surface still consisted of Mg2SiO4 and MgO, which are the same as that of the original ones. Surface roughness of the ablated surface increased and then decreased with the increase of shot number. The surface roughness for the original MAO film is about 2.10 μm, it decreased to 1.18 μm with 1 shot irradiation and then increased to 4.13 μm with irradiation shots up to 10. Correspondingly, the surface energy of the ablated surface augmented, resulting in the tedious decrease of static contact angle from 145.9° for original film to 49.7° for the film with 10 shots. The ablation modification enhanced the continuity and compaction of the MAO films on AZ31 magnesium alloy.