In-situ AFM and quasi-in-situ studies for localized corrosion in Mg-9Al-1Fe-(Gd) alloys under 3.5 wt.% NaCl environment

Revealing the localized corrosion process of Mg alloy is considered as one of the most significant ways for improving its corrosion resistance.The reliable monitor should be high distinguishability and real-time in liquid environment.Herein,Mg-9Al-1Fe and Mg-9Al-1Fe-1Gd alloys were designed to highlight the impact of intermetallic on the corrosion behaviour.In-situ AFM with a special electrolyte circulation system and quasi-in-situ SEM observation were used to monitor the corrosion process of the designed alloys.SEM-EDS and TEM-SAED were applied to identify the intermetallic in the designed alloys,and their volta potentials were measured by SKPFM.According to the real-time and real-space in-situ AFM monitor,the corrosion process consisted of dissolution of anodicα-Mg phase,accumulation of corrosion products around cathodic phase and shedding of some fine cathodic phase.Then,the localized corrosion process of Mg alloy was revealed combined with the results of the monitor of corrosion process and Volta potential difference.

Sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as an effective corrosion inhibitor for Mg-8Li-3Al alloy in aqueous NaCl: A combined experimental and theoretical investigation

The corrosion inhibition behavior of Mg-8Li-3Al alloy in NaCl solution with sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS)was investigated by hydrogen analysis,scanning electron microscopy(SEM),electrochemical test,scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy(SKPFM)and computational methods.Results showed that the corrosion resistance of Mg-8Li-3Al alloy in NaCl solution was effectively improved with SDS.The SEM and SKPFM results confirmed a dense,200 nm-thick SDS-adsorbed layer had formed on the alloy surface.The separation energy ΔE_(gap) and adsorption energy E_(ads) of SDS on the Mg surface were calculated by density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations,respectively.And the corrosion inhibition mechanism was hypothesized and described.

Quasi-in-situ Observation and SKPFM Studies on Phosphate Protective Film and Surface Micro-Galvanic Corrosion in Biological Mg-3Zn-xNd Alloys

The phosphate protective film and micro-galvanic corrosion of biological Mg-3Zn-xNd (x = 0, 0.6, 1.2) alloys were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, quasi-in-situ observation, scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) and electrochemical tests. The results revealed the Mg-Zn-Nd phases formed in Mg-3Zn alloy contained with Nd. Adding Nd resulted in a significant decline in the cracks of the phosphate protective film and micro-galvanic corrosion of alloys, which were recorded by quasi-in-situ observation. In addition, the Volta potential difference of Mg-Zn-Nd/α-Mg (~ 188 mV) was lower than MgZn/α-Mg (~ 419 mV) and Zn-rich/α-Mg (~ 260 mV), and the corrosion rates of alloys markedly decreased after the addition of 0.6 wt% Nd. The improvement in corrosion resistance of Nd-containing alloys was mainly attributed to the following: (i) the addition of Nd reduced the Volta potential difference (second phases/α-Mg);(ii) the phosphate protective film containing Nd_(2)O_(3) deposited on the surface of the alloys, effectively preventing the penetration of harmful anions.