Incorporation of zirconia particles into coatings formed on magnesium by plasma electrolytic oxidation

摘要

The incorporation of particles of monoclinic zirconia into coatings formed on magnesium by plasma electrolytic oxidation has been examined in order to investigate the mechanism of coating formation. The coatings, developed under DC conditions in alkaline silicate and phosphate electrolytes, comprised two main layers and contained MgO, Mg₂SiO₄, and Mg₃(PO₄)₂ phases. Zirconia particles were incorporated preferentially into the inner layer regions and at the coating surface. Zirconium was also redistributed in the outer layer coating material, sometimes resulting in a modified microstructure. Due to local heating at the microdischarge sites, particles underwent transformation from monoclinic to tetragonal zirconia, although monoclinic zirconia was also present in the final coating. Mg₂Zr₅O₁₂ was also formed in the coating produced in phosphate electrolyte. The findings suggest that the outer coating material forms at the inner/outer coating interface region and the coating surface, with transport of particles to the former region through short-circuit paths in the outer layer.