Effect of Al and Y addition on corrosion properties of magnesium alloy

Abstract Due to its lightweight structure, magnesium alloys have been widely used in the automotive and aerospace industries. However, the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy is a key factor limiting their further application. Rare earth alloying is an economical and effective method to improve the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys. In this work, Mg–2Y–2Al (wt%) alloy was prepared by conventional casting method. After 168 h of immersion in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution, the corrosion rates determined by hydrogen evolution test and mass loss experiment were 0.57 mm/y and 1.01 mm/y, respectively. The results provide a basic understanding of the synergistic effect of Al and Y on enhancing the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys. The co-addition of Al and Y is conducive to the formation of a stronger protective film on the alloy surface and effectively inhibits the corrosion of alloys. It provides important insights for the future development of high-performance and corrosion-resistant magnesium alloys.