Microgalvanic Corrosion of Mg–Ca and Mg–Al–Ca Alloys in NaCl and Na2SO4 Solutions

Abstract

As a kind of potential biomedical material, Mg–Ca alloy has attracted much attention. However, the role of Ca-containing intermetallics in microgalvanic corrosion is still controversial. In 0.6 mol/L NaCl and Na2SO4 solutions, the microgalvanic corrosion behavior of the second phase and Mg matrix of Mg–Ca and Mg–Al–Ca alloys was examined. It was confirmed that the Mg2Ca phase acts as a microanode in microgalvanic corrosion in both NaCl and Na2SO4 solutions, with the Mg matrix acting as the cathode and the Al2Ca phase acting as the microcathode to accelerate corrosion of the adjacent Mg matrix. It was also found that Cl− and SO42− have different sensibilities to microgalvanic corrosion.