Growth behaviour of low-energy plasma electrolytic oxidation coatings on a magnesium alloy

Plasma electrolytic oxidation(PEO),a promising surface treatment method to improve the corrosion and wear resistance of magnesium and its alloys,operates at high voltages,resulting in a relatively high energy cost.To make the PEO process more economically viable,its energy efficiency needs to be improved.This study investigates the growth behaviour and microstructural characteristics of low-energy PEO coatings on an AM50 magnesium alloy in a concentrated electrolyte containing sodium tetraborate.The surface morphology of the coatings was different from typical PEO coating morphologies and a large voltage oscillation was observed during treatment.Using different characterisation techniques,and based on a micro-discharge model,a correlation was made between the voltage-time behaviour,microdischarge characteristics and the composition and microstructure of the coated samples.The results suggest electrolyte chemistry can somewhat control discharge behaviour,which plays an important role in PEO coating growth.