The effect of anodizing electrolyte composition on electrochemical properties of anodized magnesium

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of electrolyte compounds on the anodizing process. Magnesium and its alloys have low corrosion resistance. Anodizing operation is performed to increase the corrosion resistance of magnesium. Anodizing solution compounds have a great effect on the oxide coating formed on the substrate. The effect of anodizing electrolyte composition on the corrosion behavior of magnesium was investigated in the simulated body fluid.

Design/methodology/approach

Three pure magnesium samples were anodized separately at 15 min, a constant voltage of 9 volts and room temperature. Three different solutions were used, which are the anodizing solution by the Harry A. Evangelides (HAE) method, the sodium hydroxide solution and the anodizing solution of the HAE method without potassium permanganate. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) was used to examine the surface of the anodized oxide layer and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used for electrochemical corrosion evaluations.

Findings

The results of corrosion tests showed that the sample anodized in the solution without potassium permanganate has had the highest corrosion resistance. Also, microscopic images showed that the surface of the oxide layer of this sample had a uniform structure and is somewhat smooth. It seems that in the anodizing process by HAE method at 9 volts and for 15 min, the absence of potassium permanganate improves the corrosion resistance of magnesium. Also, anodizing in HAE solution gives more positive results than anodizing in sodium hydroxide solution.

Originality/value

The solution without potassium permanganate was studied for the first time and also the effect of these three anodizing electrolytes was compared together for the first time. Effect of anodizing at 15 min and constant voltage of 9 volts. Sample’s electrochemical behavior in the body's simulation environment has been investigated. Improvement of electrochemical properties in the solution of the HAE method without potassium permanganate.

Citation

Mousavian, S.M.H. and Tabaian, S.H. (2022), "The effect of anodizing electrolyte composition on electrochemical properties of anodized magnesium", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 69 No. 2, pp. 194-203. https://doi.org/10.1108/ACMM-10-2021-2557