Surface treatments for magnesium alloys

Abstract

Magnesium and its alloys have been found to have a variety of industrial applications owning to their high strength-to-weight ratio. The strength of magnesium alloys is comparable with that of aluminum alloys or steels; however, their corrosion resistance when exposed to severe conditions is relatively weak. Surface treatments are applied to magnesium and magnesium alloy articles to enhance their corrosion resistance and appearance. This chapter covers two classes of treatment for magnesium alloy surfaces for moderate to severely corrosive environments: (1) chemical treatments and (2) anodic treatments, followed by sealing and organic coatings. Necessary cleaning procedures, including mechanical cleaning, chemical cleaning, pickling, and fluoride anodizing, are described.