Corrosion performance, corrosion fatigue behavior and mechanical integrity of an extruded Mg4Zn0.2Sn alloy

Abstract

Magnesium alloys are promising as load bearing components. They are inevitably exposed to cyclic loading and corrosive environment in actual service, which can consequently result in corrosion fatigue failure and loss of mechanical integrity of the material. Therefore, in the present study, the corrosion behavior, corrosion fatigue performance and mechanical integrity of an extruded Mg4Zn0.2Sn (wt.%) alloy were thoroughly studied in two corrosive electrolytes. Strong localized corrosion occurred when the alloy was immersed in deionized water based sodium chloride (NaCl) solution. The poor corrosion resistance of the alloy resulted in a fast deterioration of the tensile properties after pre-exposure to salt spray and a poor fatigue resistance in deionized water based NaCl solution. In comparison, the active dissolution of the substrate was sufficiently suppressed in artificial tap water based NaCl solution due to the formation of highly protective corrosion product layers. This consequently conferred longer fatigue life on the alloy in the electrolyte. Our results emphasized the influence of corrosion on the fatigue behavior and tensile properties of magnesium alloys.