Article ID: L-MRA2007881
Mechanism of corrosion protection obtained by anodization for die-cast plates of ASTM AZ91D (Mg-9 mass%Al-0.7Zn) magnesium alloy has been studied. Anodization was conducted by conventional Dow17 which utilizes chromium oxide (VI), ammonium fluoride and phosphoric acid, and by environment-friendly Anomag whose electrolyte consists of phosphate and ammonium salt. The anodized surface obtained in Dow17 showed local corrosion in salt spray test (SST) after ∼500 ks to form corrosion products consisting of magnesium hydroxides. On the other hand, the surface anodized in Anomag was covered with amorphous film, showed only discoloring in SST and corrosion product was scarcely observed. When the anodized surfaces were trenched with ceramic knife to form locally exposed substrate, corrosion product was formed on the trench in the case of Dow17, but corrosion was well suppressed by formation of new type of protective film in the case of Anomag. Anodic polarization curves indicate that the surface anodized in Dow17 is protected by passive substances through which electrolyte can easily reach the substrate, and that in Anomag show sacrificial function where the anodized layer dissolves quite slowly into the electrolyte prior to the substrate. The excellent corrosion protectivity obtained in Anomag is considered to be based on the formation of a new type of protective film as well as sacrificial function of the original amorphous anodized layer.
