Corrosion Behavior of MRI153M Magnesium Alloy in 3% NaCl Solution

Abstract

Corrosion behavior of high-pressure die cast creep resistant magnesium alloy MRI 153M in 3% NaCl aqueous solution was studied by several electrochemical and non-electrochemical techniques. The electrochemical techniques were Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Linear Polarization Resistance (LPR) and Tafel-slope Polarization. The non-electrochemical techniques were mass-loss and gas evolution measurements. Values of corrosion rates were calculated and the morphology of corroded surface studied. While corrosion rates calculated by both non-electrochemical methods are not consistent, those gained by the three electrochemical methods demonstrate consistency. In general, the rate of corrosion calculated by the gas evolution method is in a good agreement with the corrosion rate calculated from the electrochemical methods, which should be an indication of mixed chemical-electrochemical character of the process. SEM and light microscope observation of corroded specimens demonstrated the localized character of corrosion, at least at the initial stages.