Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Testing of general and localized corrosion of magnesium alloys: A critical review

  • Review Article
  • Published:
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The degradation of materials generally occurs via corrosion, fatigue, and wear. Once a magnesium (Mg) alloy is chosen for a certain application, corrosion testing is generally required as a function of the expected service environment, the type of corrosion expected in service, and the type of surface protection, depending on the material and its use in the intended surface. In the absence of appropriate standards for the testing of magnesium alloys, a brief summary of the various procedures of accelerated electrochemical and corrosion testing of Mg alloys that have been adopted by different schools is given, accompanied by some critical comments for future work. Hydroxide, hydroxide-chloride, and corrosive water formulated according to American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) standard 1384-96 are considered to evaluate general corrosion, localized corrosion, and corrosion influenced by metallurgical parameters. The influence of agitation, oxygenation, pH, and temperature are discussed. Surface cleaning, superficial microstructure, and surface preparation for testing are discussed. Appropriate electrochemical methods that can be applied to this relatively new and electrochemically active structural material are described. Corrosion potential measurements, polarization, impedance, noise electrochemistry, and surface reference electrode technique are recommended as valuable methods for evaluating the resistance of existing or experimental alloys to these types of corrosion. Corrosion kinetics and varying properties of the solution at the alloy/solution interface are examined. A critical description of the relevance and importance of these methods to corrosion testing of Mg alloys is given.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Corrosion, Vol 13, 9th ed., Metals Handbook, ASM International, 1987, p 193–196, 207–220, 231–233, 303–310

  2. B.W. Lifka, Aluminum (and Alloys), Corrosion Testing and Standards: Application and Interpretation, R. Baboian, Ed., American Society for Testing and Materials, 1995, p 447–457

  3. NACE: Metals Section, Corrosion Data Survey, 6th ed., NACE International, The Corrosion Society, 1985

  4. Handbook of Corrosion Data, B.D. Craig and D.S. Anderson, Ed., ASM International, 1995

  5. D.J. De Renzo, Corrosion Resistant Materials Handbook, 4th ed., D.J. De Renzo, Ed., Noyes Data Corporation, 1985

  6. P.A. Schweitzer, Corrosion Resistance Tables: Metals, Plastics, Nonmetallic and Rubbers, 2nd ed., Marcel Dekker, 1986

  7. G.L. Song, A. Atrens, and M. Dargusch, Influence of Microstructure on the Corrosion of Diecast AZ91D, Corrosion Sci. Vol 41, 1999, p 249–273

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. GI 6–95 Standard Recommended Practice for Applying Statistics to Analysis of Corrosion Data, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03-02, p 69–82

  9. W.K. Miller and E.F. Ryntz Jr., “Magnesium for Automotive Applications: A State-of-the-Art Assessment, Localized Corrosion,” paper 83-0521, Society of Automotive Engineers, 1984

  10. A. Stalmann, W. Sebastian, H. Friedrich, S. Schumann, and K. Droder, Properties and Processing of Magnesium Wrought Products for Automotive Applications, Adv. Eng. Mater., Vol 3 (No. 12), 2001, p 969–976

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. E. Aghion and B. Bronfin, Global Overview on Demand and Applications for Magnesium Alloys, Magnesium Alloys Development Towards the 21st Century, Mater. Sci. Forum, Vol 350–351, 2000, p 19–28

    Article  Google Scholar 

  12. E. Aghion, B. Bronfin, F. Von Buch, S. Schumann, and H. Friedrich, Dead Sea Magnesium Alloys Newly Developed for High Temperature Applications, Magnesium Technology, H.I. Kaplan, Ed., The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, 2003, p 177–182

  13. R.L. Edgar, Global Overview on Demand and Applications for Magnesium Alloys, International Congress Magnesium Alloys and Their Applications, K.U. Kainer, Ed., 26–28 Sept 2000 (Munich), Wiley-VCH, 2000, p 3–8

  14. A. Luo, M. Balogh, and B.R. Powell, “Tensile Creep and Microstructure of Magnesium-Aluminium-Calcium Based Alloys for Powertrain Applications: Part 2 of 2,” paper 01-0423, Society of Automotive Engineers, 2001

  15. H. Kaufman, R. Potzinger, and P.J. Uggowitzer, NRC, Magnesium Castings for Structural Applications, M. Sahoo and T.J. Lewis, Ed., Metallurgical Society of CIM (Montreal, Canada), Light Metals Métaux Légers, COM, 2001, p 216–223

  16. I. Nakatsugawa, H. Takayasu, and K. Saito, Corrosion Behavior of Thin Wall Magnesium Products Molded by Thixomolding, op. cit. ref. 13, p 445–450

  17. D.M. Walukas, R.F. Decker, R.E. Vining, and R.D. Carnahan, Thixomolding of Magnesium, Magnesium 97 Proceedings of the First Israeli International Conference on Magnesium Science & Technology, E. Aghion and D. Eliezer, Ed., 10–12 Nov 1997 (Dead Sea), p 54–59

  18. C. Jaschik, H. Haferkamp, and M. Niemeyer, New Magnesium Wrought Alloys, op. cit. ref. 13, p 41–46

  19. W. Sebastian, K. Dröder, and S. Schumann. Properties and Processing of Magnesium Wrought Products for Automotive Applications, op. cit. ref. 13, p 602–608

  20. G.L. Song and A. Atrens, Corrosion Mechanisms of Magnesium Alloys, Adv. Eng. Mater., Vol 1 (No. 1), 1999, p 11–33

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. R.J. Brigham, “Localized Corrosion Initiation on Magnesium Alloys,” Report No. MTL 90-51 (TR), CANMET, 1990

  22. M.M. Avedesian and H. Baker, Ed., ASM Specialty Handbook: Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys, ASM International, 1999, p 138–162, 194–215

  23. J.D. Hanawalt, C.E. Nelson, and J.A. Peloubet, Corrosion Studies of Magnesium and Its Alloys, Trans. Am. Soc. Mining Metall. Eng., Vol 147, 1942, p 273–299

    Google Scholar 

  24. G. Song, A. Atrens, D. St. John, J. Nairn, and Y. Li, The Electrochemical Corrosion of Pure Magnesium in 1 N NaCl, Corrosion Sci., Vol 39 (No. 5), 1997, p 855–875

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. G. Song, A. Atrens, D. St John, X. Wu, and J. Nairn, The Anodic Dissolution of Magnesium in Chloride and Sulfate Solutions, Corrosion Sci., Vol 39 (No. 10–11), 1997, p 1981–2004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. G. Song and A. Atrens, Corrosion Behaviour of Skin Layer and Interior of Die Cast AZ91D, Proceedings, Fourth International Conference on Magnesium Alloys and Their Applications, B.L. Mordike and K.U. Kainer, Ed., 28–30 April 1998 (Wolfsburg, Germany), Wekstoff-Informationsgesellschaft GmbH, 1998, p 415–419

  27. P.P. Trzaskoma, Corrosion Behavior of a Graphite Fiber/Magnesium Metal Matrix Composite in Aqueous Chloride Solution, Corrosion, Vol 42 (No. 10), 1986, p 609–613

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. E.M. Gutman, A. Eliezer, Ya. Unigovski, and E. Abramov, Mechanelectrochemical Behavior and Creep Corrosion of Magnesium Alloys, Mater. Sci. Eng., Vol 302, 2001, p 63–67

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. P.L. Bonora, M. Andrei, A. Eliezer, and E.M. Gutman, Corrosion Behaviour of Stressed Magnesium Alloys, Corrosion Sci., Vol 44, 2002, p 729–749

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. H. Inoue, K. Sugahara, A. Yamamoto, and H. Tsubakino, Corrosion Rate of Magnesium and Its Alloys in Buffered Chloride Solutions, Corrosion Sci., Vol 44, 2002, p 603–610

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. S. Mathieu, C. Rapin, J. Hazan, and P. Steinmetz, Corrosion Behavior of High Pressure Die-Cast and Semi-Solid Cast AZ91D Alloys, Corrosion Sci., Vol 44, 2002, p 2737–2756

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. P. Adeva-Ramos, S.B. Dodd, P. Morgan, F. Hehmann, P. Steinmetz, and F. Sommer, Autopassive Wrought Magnesium Alloys, Adv. Eng. Mater., Vol 3 (No. 3), 2001, p 147–152

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. R. Feser and J.W. Erning, Electrochemical Noise Measurements for the Determination of the Effectiveness of New Corrosion Protection Layers on Aluminum and Magnesium, Mater. Corrosion, Vol 52, 2001, p 456–461

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. E.D. Morales, E. Ghali, N. Hort, W. Dietzel, and K.U. Kainer, Corrosion Behavior of Magnesium Alloys with RE Additions in Sodium Chloride Solutions, Magnesium Alloys 2003 Part 1, Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Platform Science and Technology for Advanced Magnesium Alloys, Y. Koshima, T. Aizawa, K. Higashi, and S. Kamado, Ed., 26–30 Jan 2003 (Osaka, Japan), Trans Tech Publications Ltd, 2003, p 867–872

  35. O. Lunder, T.K. Aune, and K. Nisancioglu, Effect of Mn Additions on the Corrosion Behavior of Mould-Cast Magnesium ASTM AZ91, Corrosion, Vol 43, 1987, p 291–295

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. T. Beldjoudi, C. Fiaud, and L. Robbiola, Influence of Homogenization and Artificial Aging Heat Treatments on Corrosion Behavior of Mg-Al Alloys, Corrosion, Vol 49, 1993, p 738–745

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. G. Baril and N. Pebere, The Corrosion Behavior of Pure Magnesium in Aerated and Deaerated Sodium Sulfate Solution, Corrosion Sci., Vol 43, 2001, p 471–484

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. G. Song, A. Atrens, and D. St. John, An Hydrogen Evolution Method for the Estimation of the Corrosion Rate of Magnesium Alloys, Magnesium Technology, J. Hryn, Ed., The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, 2001, p 255–262

  39. B.L. Tiwari and J.J. Bommarito, A Novel Technique to Evaluate the Corrosion Behavior of Magnesium Alloys, Magnesium Technology, H.I. Kaplan, Ed., The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society, 2002, p 269–275

  40. A.F. Froats, T.K. Aune, D. Hawke, W. Unsworth, and J. Hillis, Corrosion, Vol 13, 9th ed., Metals Handbook, ASM International, 1987, p 740–754

  41. J.I. Skar and D. Albright, Corrosion Behavior of Die-Cast Magnesium in ASTM B117 Salt Spray and GM9540P Cyclic Corrosion Test, op. cit. ref. 12, p 59–63

  42. D. Weiss, B. Bronfin, G. Golub, and E. Aghion, Corrosion Resistance Evaluation of Magnesium and Magnesium Alloys by an Ion Selective Electrode, Magnesium 97, Proceedings of the First Israeli International Conference on Magnesium Science & Technology, E. Aghion and D. Eliezer, Ed., 10–12 Nov 1997 (Dead Sea), 1997, p 208–213

  43. Y.-S. Choi, J.-G. Kim, S.K. Kim, and Y.-J. Kim, Aqueous Corrosion Characteristics of Mg-4Ni-xAl Alloys in Acid-Chloride Solution, op. cit. ref. 39, p 277–282

  44. P. Roberge, Acceleration and Amplification of Corrosion Damage, Handbook of Corrosion Engineering, McGraw Hill, 1999, p 486–576

  45. O. Lunder, J.E. Lein, S.M. Hesjevik, T.K. Aune, and K. Nisancioglu, Corrosion Morphologies on Magnesium Alloy AZ91, Werkstoffe Korrosion, Vol 45, 1994, p 331–340

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. L. Ciaghi, L. Fedrizzi, F. Deflorian, and P.L. Bonora, Evaluation of the Corrosion Rate of Mg/Al Zn Alloys, International Congress Magnesium Alloys and Their Applications (Garmich, Germany), Wiley-VCH, 1992, p 151–158

  47. C.F. Baker, New Alloys and Shot Delivery System Developments, Magnesium Alloys and Their Applications, B.L. Mordike and F. Hehman, Ed., Informations Gesellschaft, 1992, p 77–87

  48. V. Mitrovic-Scepanovic and R.J. Brigham, Localized Corrosion Initiation on Magnesium Alloys, Corrosion, Vol 48 (No. 9), 1992, p 780–784

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. “Standard Method for Pitting of Crevice of Metallic Surgical Implant Materials,” F 746-87, 1997 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, ASTM, Vol 13.01, p 181–186

  50. B.-Y. Hur and K.-W. Kim, A New Method for Evaluation of Pitting Corrosion Resistance for Magnesium Alloys, Corrosion Rev., Vol 16, 1998, p 85–94

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  51. I. Nakatsugawa, F. Yamada, H. Takaysu, T. Tsukeda, and K. Saito, Corrosion Behavior of Thixomolded Mg-Al Alloys, Proceedings of the 38th Annual Conference METSOC, CIM, Environmental Degradation of Materials and Corrosion Control in Metals, M. Elboujdaini and E. Ghali, Ed., 22–26 Aug 1999 (Quebec), p 113–123

  52. M.O. Oteyaka, A.-M. Lafront, R. Tremblay, and E. Ghali, Pitting Corrosion of Some Magnesium Alloys by Scanning Reference Electrode Techniques (SRET), NACE International Seminar Proceedings, Northern Area, Montreal Section, Session 2, 26–27 Aug 2002 (Montreal)

  53. A.-M. Lafront, M.O. Oteyaka, R.D. Klassen, P.R. Roberge, and E. Ghali, Study of the Corrosion of Zinc and Aluminum Magnesium Alloys by Electrochemical Noise (EN) and Scanning Reference Electrode Technique (SRET), ibid.

  54. R.M. Kain, Crevice Corrosion Behavior of Stainless Steel in Sea Water and Related Environments, Corrosion, Vol 40 (No. 6), 1984, p 313–321

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. B.A. Boukamp, A Non Linear Least-Squares Fit Procedure for Analysis of Immittance Data of Electrochemical Systems, Solid State Ionics, Vol 20 (No. 1), 1986, p 31–44

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. R. Udhayan and D.P. Prokash Bhatt, J. Power Sources, Vol 63, 1996, p 103–107

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. S. Turgoose and R.A. Cottis, The Impedance Response of Film-Covered Metals, Electrochemical Impedance: Analysis and Interpretation, Scully, Silverman and Kendig, Ed., 1993, p 173–191

  58. N. Pebere, C. Riera, and F. Dabosi, Investigation of Magnesium Corrosion in Aerated Sodium Sulfate Solution by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Electrochem. Acta, Vol 35 (No. 2), 1990, p 555–561

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. C.H. Tsai, Analysis of EIS Data for Common Corrosion Processes, op. cit. ref. 57, p 37–52

  60. R.G. Kelly, Pitting, Corrosion Testing and Standards: Application and Interpretation, R. Baboian, Ed., ASTM, 1995, p 166–174

  61. J.Q. Zhang, Z. Zhang, J.M. Wang, H.B. Shao, and C.N. Cao, Corrosion Monitoring of LY12 in 1 N Sodium Chloride Solution with Electrochemical Noise Technique, Acta Metall. Sinica, Vol 14 (No. 2), 2001, p 91–96

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. K.R. Trethewey, D.A. Sargent, D.J. Marsh, and S. Haines, New Methods of Quantitative Analysis of Localized Corrosion Using Scanning Electrochemical Probes, Modelling Aqueous Corrosion From Individual Pits to System Management, NATO ASI Series, Series E: Applied Sciences, Vol 266, K.R. Trethewey and P.R. Roberge, Ed., 1994, p 417–442

  63. L.F. Jaffe and R. Nuticelli, An Ultrasensitive Vibrating Probe for Measuring Steady Extracellular Currents, J. Cell Biol., Vol 63, 1974, p 614–628

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  64. H.S. Isaacs and M.W. Kendig, Determination of Surface Inhomogeneities Using a Scan Probe Impedance Technique, Corrosion, Vol 36, 1980, p 269–274

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. D.A. Eden, Electrochemical Noise, Uhlig’s Corrosion Handbook, W.R. Revie, Ed., John Wiley, 2000, Chap. 69, p 1227–1238

  66. N. Morihiro, M. Takeda, G. Katayama, M. Kido, and Y. Harada, Corrosion Behaviour of WC Thermal Spray Materials, Proceedings of the Second International Conference on Environment Sensitive Cracking and Corrosion Damage, “ESCCD,” M. Matsumura, H. Nagano, K. Nakasa, and Y. Isomoto, Ed., 29 Oct–2 Nov 2001 (Hiroshima, Japan), Nishiki Printing Ltd, 2001, p 153–159

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mining, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Laval University, G1K 7P4, Quebec, Canada

    Edward Ghali

  2. GKSS Research Center, Forschungszentrum GmbH, Institute for Materials Research, Center for Magnesium Technology, Geesthacht, Germany

    Wolfgang Dietzel & Karl-Ulrich Kainer

Authors
  1. Edward Ghali
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Wolfgang Dietzel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Karl-Ulrich Kainer
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Ghali, E., Dietzel, W. & Kainer, KU. Testing of general and localized corrosion of magnesium alloys: A critical review. J. of Materi Eng and Perform 13, 517–529 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1361/10599490420665

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1361/10599490420665

Keywords

Search

Navigation