Corrosion behaviors of Mg and its alloys with different Al contents in a modified simulated body fluid

The corrosion behaviors of pure magnesium (Mg) and three Mg alloys with different Al contents were investigated in a modified simulated body fluid (m-SBF) through immersion tests, Tafel experiments, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic (EIS) experiments. The immersion results show that the corrosion rates (CRs) of the four samples were in an order of AZ91D < AZ61 < AZ31 < pure Mg after immersion for 1 day. With an increase in immersion time, their corrosion rates decreased and then a stable stage was reached after 16 days. The order of CRs of the four samples changed to AZ91D < pure Mg < AZ61 < AZ31 after immersion for 24 days. The results of EIS experiments indicate that the charge transfer resistance (R_ct) of the three magnesium alloys initially increased and then decreased while the R_ct of pure Mg was kept lower within 24 h. The results of a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) show that pure Mg and three alloys were heterogeneously corroded in the m-SBF. The corrosion of pure Mg, which showed a more uniform corrosion appearance, resulted from localized corrosion over the entire surface. Alloy AZ91D (of 8.5-9.5 wt.% Al) showed relatively uniform corrosion morphology and the β-Mg₁₂Al₁₇ precipitates in alloy AZ91D were more homogeneously and continuously distributed along the grain boundaries. Obvious corrosion pits were found on the surface of alloy AZ61 and AZ31. The corrosion pits of alloy AZ61 were shallower than those of alloy AZ31. Alloy AZ61 (of 5.8-7.2 wt.% Al) possessed more Al₈Mn₅ and a little β-Mg₁₂Al₁₇ presented along the grain boundary heterogeneously and discontinuously. Al₈Mn₅ was the main phase of the AZ31 alloy (of 2.5-3.5 wt.% Al) dispersed into the matrix. In conclusion, the microstructure and the Al content in the α-Mg (Al) matrix significantly affected the corrosion properties of the alloys in the m-SBF. With the increase in Al content, the corrosion resistances of the samples were improved.