Togliatti University creates new technology to protect magnesium alloys from corrosion
MOSCOW, December 4. /TASS/. Scientists of Togliatti State University (TSU) have developed an innovative technology to protect products made of particularly strong magnesium alloys from corrosion, the university's press service reports.
TSU has developed a hybrid technology to protect the surface of magnesium alloys containing LPSO-phase (long period stacking ordered), which, despite their unique strength and plasticity, are susceptible to corrosion. The technology involves high-frequency plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) adding silicon dioxide nanoparticles (sand) in the electrolyte, which results in the formation of a ceramic metal-oxide coating on the surface that improves the wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium LPSO-alloy products, the report said.
"As a result, the porosity of the ceramic layer decreased almost 3 times, the average thickness and adhesion of the layer increased by about a third, and the corrosion current density decreased by about 5.5 times. These figures match the best results of protective ceramic coating for LPSO-alloys that are created using another more time-consuming and expensive two-stage combined technology based on PEO," the report quotes the words of the scientific head of the Research Department (RD) "Oxide Layers, Films and Coatings", Doctor of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Professor Mikhail Krishtal.
The report notes that the addition of even small amounts of silicon dioxide nanoparticles gives a "huge effect". The new technology will make it possible to use LPSO-alloys to work not only under conditions of high loads, but also in aggressive environments. In addition, the technology developed at TSU is cost-effective because it is "no more expensive than conventional LPSO, and even allows for shorter processing times, obtaining the desired result."
Products made of magnesium LPSO-alloys with a protected surface can be used in machine and engine building, including in the aviation and rocket-space industry, where high strength, fire and corrosion resistance are required, the report said.
