An additively manufactured magnesium-aluminium alloy withstands seawater corrosion

Abstract Magnesium, the lightest structural metal, has inherently poor corrosion resistance. In this study, we developed a magnesium-aluminium Mg-10.6Al-0.6Zn-0.3Mn alloy, additively manufactured by laser powder bed fusion. We reveal that alloy record low degradation rate amongst all magnesium alloys in practically relevant corrosive solutions, and it even withstands seawater corrosion. As tested number of methods, shows more enhanced passivation with longer immersion periods. The surface following maintained nearly corrosion-free appearance was determined to have thin aluminium-containing film, due enrichment aluminium from supersaturated matrix. Aluminium near sample also observed when is immersed phosphoric acid or exposed atmosphere at room temperature. This study demonstrates prospects for ultra-lightweight structure outstanding