The Corrosion Behavior of Dynamically Loaded Magnesium Alloy AZ31B

Abstract

Flyer plate impact experiments were performed on AZ31-H24 magnesium samples at two different velocities resulting in shock stresses of ~0.61 GPa and ~1.70 GPa. The recovered samples were assessed for changes in their microstructure compared to the as-received plate and subsequently evaluated for their corrosion behavior. The recovered samples displayed minimal differences in microstructure with exception to the appearance of {101 ̅2}<101 ̅1> extension twins in the sample exposed to a stress of 1.70 GPa which was likely due to the relatively low applied shock stresses. As a result, the grain size, texture, and twin dependence on corrosion rate was determined to be weak. The primary determinant of corrosion behavior was associated with differences in the cathodic reaction rate due to the area fraction and distribution of cathodic Al-Mn containing constituent particles present throughout the material.