Abstract
Lightweight combined with good mechanical properties makes magnesium alloys attractive for many applications. However, these alloys have a poor resistance against corrosion. Associated with the corrosion of magnesium alloys is hydrogen embrittlement of the material, since in the corrosion reaction atomic hydrogen is generated which partly enters the material and leads to cracking. Another matter of concern for magnesium alloys is their low wear resistance, owing to the inherent low hardness of the material. The influence plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) coating on the tribological characteristics of an AM50 magnesium alloy assessed by dry sliding wear tests and the associated wear mechanisms are discussed in this paper.
