Corrosion Mechanisms of New Wrought Mg-Zn Based Alloys Alloying with Si, Ca and Ag

New wrought magnesium alloys have increasingly been developed in recent years for the automotive industry due to their high potential as structural materials for low density and high strength/weight ratio demands. However, their poor mechanical properties and low corrosion resistance have led to a search for new kinds of magnesium alloys with better strength, ductility, and high corrosion resistance. The main objective of this research is to investigate the corrosion behaviour of new magnesium alloys: Mg-Zn-Ag (ZQ), Mg-Zn-Mn-Si (ZSM) and Mg-Zn-Mn-Si-Ca (ZSMX). These ZQ6X, ZSM6X1, and ZSM651+YCa alloys were prepared using hot extrusion. AC, DC polarization and immersion tests were carried out on the extruded rods. Microstructure was examined using optical and electron microscopy (SEM) and EDS. The addition of silver decreased the corrosion resistance. The additions of silicon and calcium also affected the corrosion behaviour. These results can be explained by the effects of alloying elements on the microstructure of Mg-Zn alloys such as grain size and precipitates caused by the change in precipitation and recrystallisation behaviour.