Advanced characterization study of commercial conversion and electrocoating structures on magnesium alloys AZ31B and ZE10A

M. P. Brady, D. N. Leonard, H. M. Meyer, J. K. Thomson, K. A. Unocic, H. H. Elsentriecy, G. L. Song, K. Kitchen, B. Davis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

23 Scopus citations

Abstract

The local metal-coating interface microstructure and chemistry formed on commercial magnesium alloys Mg-3Al-1Zn (AZ31B) and Mg-1Zn-0.25Zr-<0.5Nd (ZE10A, ZEK100 type) were analyzed as-chemical conversion coated with a commercial hexafluoro-titanate/zirconate type + organic polymer based treatment (Bonderite® 5200) and a commercial hexafluoro-zirconate type + trivalent chromium Cr3+ type treatment (Surtec® 650), and after the same conversion coatings followed by electrocoating with an epoxy based coating, Cathoguard® 525. Characterization techniques included scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and cross-section scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM). Corrosion behavior was assessed in room temperature saturated aqueous Mg(OH)2 solution with 1 wt.% NaCl. The goal of the effort was to assess the degree to which substrate alloy additions become enriched in the conversion coating, and how the conversion coating was impacted by subsequent electrocoating. Key findings included the enrichment of Al from AZ31B and Zr from ZE10A, respectively, into the conversion coating, with moderate corrosion resistance benefits for AZ31B when Al was incorporated. Varying degrees of increased porosity and modification of the initial conversion coating chemistry at the metal-coating interface were observed after electrocoating. These changes were postulated to result in degraded electrocoating protectiveness. These observations highlight the challenges of coating Mg, and the need to tailor electrocoating in light of potential degradation of the initial as-conversion coated Mg alloy surface.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)164-176
Number of pages13
JournalSurface and Coatings Technology
Volume294
DOIs
StatePublished - May 25 2016

Funding

The authors thank D.W. Coffey, T.M. Lowe, T. Geer and T.L. Jordan for assistance with the experimental work. M. Lance, B. Armstrong, and B.A. Pint provided helpful comments for this manuscript. This research was sponsored by the U.S. DOE EERE ( DE-AC05-00OR22725 ) Vehicle Technologies Office. TEM/STEM characterization work made use of capabilities at the ORNL Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences, which is a DOE Office of Science User Facility.

FundersFunder number
DOE EEREDE-AC05-00OR22725

    Keywords

    • Conversion coating
    • Corrosion
    • Electrocoating
    • Magnesium
    • Transmission electron microscopy

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