Corrosion Protection of Mg-Li Alloy by Plasma Thermal Spraying of Aluminum

Abstract

Magnesium alloys containing lithium over 10 mass-% have good cold workability and high specific strength. However, the poor corrosion resistance of these alloys hinders their application. In this experiment, the effect on corrosion resistance of plasma thermal sprayed pure aluminum coating to Mg-Li alloy plates was investigated. Low-pressure plasma sprayings of pure aluminum were carried out after grit blasting. The corrosion resistance, which is evaluated by salt water spraying test, of plasma sprayed plates was improved. Furthermore, slightly cold-rolled surface after thermal spraying showed excellent corrosion resistance, due to closing of micro channels from surface to substrate.