Pitting-induced hydrogen embrittlement of magnesium- aluminium alloy

In this study, the pitting corrosion susceptibility and its role on the hydrogen embrittlement behavior of AZ80 magnesium alloy were studied using slow strain rate testing (SSRT), electrochemical technique and immersion test method. The electrochemical and immersion tests in chloride-containing solution revealed severe pitting corrosion in the alloy. The SSRT results of the alloy under continuouslyexposed conditions in chloride-containing solution and in distilled water showed that the mechanical properties of the alloy deteriorated considerably in both the solutions. Pre-exposure of the alloy in distilled water did not show any considerable change in the mechanical properties of the alloy, however in chloride-containing solution a significant loss in the mechanical properties was noticed. Cleavage facets were observed in the vicinity of the localized attacked region of the alloy pre-exposed in chloride-containing solution. Interestingly, desiccating the pre-exposed (in chloridecontaining solution) samples reduced the loss in the mechanical properties, which * Corresponding author. Tel.: +61 7 4781 5080; fax: +61 7 4781 6788; e-mail: [email protected]