Surface properties modification of magnesium alloys by low energy high current pulsed electron beam

Abstract

The effects of low-energy high-current electron beam (LEHCEB) treatment on the surface properties of AZ91D and AM60B magnesium alloys were investigated. Experiments were done by controlling the beam energy, through the acceleration voltage (15 to 30 kV) and operating in two regimes: low (2 to 16) and high (20 to 100) number of pulses. The surface layers of alloys were characterized for phase and elemental composition by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Glow Discharge Optical Emission Spectroscopy (GDOES). Surface modification has a significant effect on the mechanical properties evaluated by Vickers microindentation tests. The corrosion resistance behaviour was evaluated by potentiodynamic polarization tests in NaCl solution. • Low energy high current electron beam treatment allows intermetallic dissolution. • Mg selective evaporates from melted layer during the treatment. • Al 12 Mg 17 recombines after large number of pulses with higher microhardness. • AZ91D and AM60B alloys suffer microgalvanic coupling and low corrosion resistance.