Because of its light weight, high strength and good casting properties, magnesium alloys have been widely used in many fields. However, the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy has always been the bottleneck of its application. In recent years, with the improvement of magnesium alloy forging production technology and the development of surface treatment technology, the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy forging has been significantly enhanced, and its application field has been further expanded. The corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy forgings and its application in various fields are analyzed in detail in this paper.
Magnesium alloys are susceptible to corrosion in the natural environment, mainly due to their active electrochemical properties, which are easy to react with oxygen and water to form oxide films and hydroxides. However, the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy forgings can be significantly improved by means of alloy composition adjustment, heat treatment and surface treatment.
Alloy composition adjustment: By adding rare earth elements, zinc, aluminum and other elements, the microstructure of magnesium alloy can be changed to improve its corrosion resistance.
Heat treatment: Proper heat treatment can eliminate the residual stress inside the forging and improve its corrosion resistance. For example, solution treatment and aging treatment can optimize the microstructure and properties of magnesium alloys.
Surface treatment: such as anodizing, chemical conversion film, coating and other surface treatment technologies, can form a protective film on the surface of magnesium alloy forgings to separate its contact with corrosive media, thereby improving its corrosion resistance.
With the improvement of corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy forgings, its application in the following fields is also more and more extensive:
Automobile industry: Magnesium alloy forgings can be used to manufacture automobile body, engine parts, wheel hubs and other components. It can not only reduce the weight of the car, improve the fuel economy, but also meet the corrosion resistance requirements of the car in various environments.
Aerospace: The aerospace field is very strict on the material requirements, magnesium alloy forgings because of its light weight, high strength and good corrosion resistance, can be used to manufacture aircraft engine parts, seats, fuselage parts, etc.
3C electronic products: Magnesium alloy forgings can also be used to make the shell of 3C products such as mobile phones and laptops. Through surface treatment technology, the product can be given good corrosion resistance and beautiful appearance.
Other fields: Magnesium alloy forgings can also be used in Marine, chemical, medical and other fields to meet the needs of a variety of complex and harsh environments.
The corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy forgings is the key index of its application. By adjusting alloy composition, heat treatment and surface treatment, the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy forgings can be significantly improved to meet the needs of various application scenarios. With the continuous progress of technology and the expansion of application fields, the application prospect of magnesium alloy forgings will be broader.
