Corrosion Resistance of Magnesium Alloys and Coatings
Summary
Magnesium alloys rank among the lightest structural metals, offering substantial weight savings across transportation, aerospace and biomedical sectors. Their high specific strength, biocompatibility and potential for biodegradation in physiological settings have driven intensive research, yet inherent susceptibility to rapid electrochemical attack in aqueous and chloride-bearing environments remains a key limitation. Corrosion resistance in these alloys arises from both intrinsic and extrinsic factors: intrinsic factors include alloy composition, microstructure and the nature of intermetallic phases; extrinsic factors encompass surface condition, environment and applied coatings. Alloying with elements such as aluminium, zinc, calcium or rare earths can refine grain size and modify secondary phases to foster the formation of stable surface films. Surface engineering techniques—ranging from conversion coatings and organic primers to advanced electrochemical treatments—aim to produce adherent, defect-free layers that slow anodic dissolution and inhibit hydrogen evolution. The integration of microstructural control, alloy design and tailored coating processes holds promise for extending service lifetimes, enabling practical deployment of magnesium systems in structural components, implantable devices and marine applications.
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Corrosion Resistance of Magnesium Alloys and Coatings publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys and coatings across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Corrosion resistance: The capacity of a material to withstand chemical or electrochemical attack from its environment.
Magnesium alloy: A metallic material composed primarily of magnesium with added elements to enhance properties such as strength, ductility or corrosion behaviour.
Passivation: Formation of a thin, adherent surface film (often oxide or hydroxide) that inhibits further corrosion.
Microstructure: The arrangement of grains, phases and defects within a metal, which influences mechanical and electrochemical properties.
Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO): An electrochemical surface treatment that generates a hard, oxide-rich coating through plasma discharges in an electrolytic bath.
References
- Fundamentals and advances in magnesium alloy corrosion. Progress in Materials Science (2017).
- A review of recent work on discharge characteristics during plasma electrolytic oxidation of various metals. International Materials Reviews (2018).
- Biodegradable Magnesium‐Based Implants in Orthopedics—A General Review and Perspectives. Advanced Science (2020).
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