Oxidation Resistance of AM60, AM50, AE42 and AZ91 Magnesium Alloys

Abstract

Because of the rapid development in automotive, aircraft, and electro industry the use of light alloys and their development is extensively increased. This increase is especially evident in the use of light magnesium alloys. The advantage of the Mg-alloys is in the mass/strength ratio, i.e. small mass of final products and their good mechanical properties; these alloys also have a good corrosion resistance (Kainer & Von Buch, 2003). Magnesium alloys are usually used at room temperatures but they can also stay at higher temperatures and oxidizing atmospheres in different stages of processing, such as: overheating of the charge, melting, casting, heat treatment and mechanical processing, recycling etc. But those conditions result undesirable effects that change chemical properties and deteriorate structural properties of the surface layers. Therefore the knowledge of oxidation of Mg-alloys at different temperatures is important for development of new Mg- based materials and the optimization of their technological processes. Various Mg alloys: AE42, AZ91, AM50, and AM60 were exposed to oxidation at different temperatures in order to determinate high-temperature oxidation resistance.