The development of β phase Mg–Li alloys for ultralight corrosion resistant applications

Abstract

Magnesium alloys with high lithium concentrations possess a lightweight body centered cubic (BCC) matrix structure with densities in the range of 1.3–1.65 g/cm3. These alloys have shown the ability to provide an excellent combination of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. Despite these great properties, the developmental history of Mg–Li alloys has observed widely varying degrees of interest but has regained momentum over the past decade. The intention of this review is to provide an overview of the mechanical properties and available corrosion data from inceptive BCC Mg–Li alloy reports to contemporary works with an emphasis on the chemical and microstructural aspects contributing to corrosion behavior. A discussion on the state of the art of the corrosion mechanism of BCC Mg–Li alloys is provided with an emphasis on hi fidelity characterization techniques that were not available to early researchers working on the Mg–Li system. In the current state, there remains a great potential for further improvement in the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance.