Corrosion resistance of AZ31 magnesium alloy treated by plasma electrolytic oxidation

The coating prepared by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) was created on AZ31 magnesium alloy surface with the aim to evaluate its effect on corrosion resistance. The DC current was applied on the sample in solution consisted of 10 g/l Na₃PO₄·12H₂O and 1 g/l KOH. Additional samples were prepared with 2 and 4 minutes of preparation to observe evolution of the PEO coating. Morphology of the coatings was evaluated by scanning electron microscopy and chemical composition was examined by EDX analysis. Electrochemical characteristic were measured by potentiodynamic polarization tests and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in 0.1 M NaCl at the laboratory temperature. Obtained data were presented in form of potentiodynamic curves and Nyquist diagrams. Results of analysis showed that plasma electrolytic oxidation coating positively influence corrosion resistance of AZ31 magnesium alloy in chosen corrosive environment.