An Investigation into the Corrosion Behavior of MgO/ZrO2 Nanocomposite Coatings Prepared by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation on the AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of AZ91 Mg alloys was performed in ZrO2 nanoparticles containing Na2SiO3-based electrolytes. The phase composition and the microstructure of PEO coatings were analyzed by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy followed by energy dispersive spectroscopy. Pitting corrosion properties of the coatings were investigated using cyclic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in a Ringer solution. The results showed the better pitting corrosion resistance of the composite coating, as compared to the oxide one, due to the thickened inner layer and the decrease in the surface defects of the composite coating. Also, the PEO process decreased the corrosion current density from 25.06 A mu A/cm(2) in the Mg alloy to 2.7 A mu A/cm(2) in the oxide coating and 0.47 A mu A/cm(2) in the composite coating.