CRYOGENIC BURNISHING OF AZ31B Mg ALLOY FOR ENHANCED CORROSION RESISTANCE

摘要

Poor corrosion resistance is limiting applications of Mg alloys. However, the corrosion performance of an Mg alloy can be enhanced through modification of its microstructure. It has been reported in the literature that the microstructure, especially grain size of AZ31 Mg alloy, has a significant influence on its corrosion resistance. In this study, AZ31B discs were subjected to a novel mechanical processing method-cryogenic burnishing; the surface of AZ31B work piece was burnished with a custom tool under a liquid nitrogen spraying condition. The processing led to a more than 3 mm thick surface layer with remarkably changed microstructures formed on the disc surface. Significant grain refinement occurred within this surface layer due to dynamic recrystallization induced by severe plastic deformation and effective cooling by liquid nitrogen. Both electrochemical method and hydrogen evolution method indicate that the corrosion resistance of the burnished surface was significantly improved.