An unusual feature known as the negative difference effect (NDE) can be observed in magnesium when recording corrosion current density–potential curves. More hydrogen is evolved at a more positive potential which does not occur in conventional metals. Several models have been proposed in the literature in order to explain the phenomenon of NDE. They succeed in explaining some effects, and fail to deal with others. A new model, which explains the NDE by two electron consuming processes, is presented in this paper. By potentiostatic investigations of magnesium in a chloride electrolyte, measurements of hydrogen evolution and chemical analysis of the electrolyte the new model was experimentally verified.
Evaluation and Screening of the pre-treatment states of Mg-alloys using Electrochemical Noise
(2009)
A successful application of magnesium alloys as light structural materials and for special applications,
such as in the medical sector, depends significantly on their corrosion properties. Since the use of
well-chosen surface coating systems can optimize these properties, many efforts are going in this
direction. In general, any coating process must be seen in a close connection to the pre-treatment of
the alloy surface, particularly for magnesium alloys.
The pre-treatment is required to prepare the optimal surface for a coating system, in which adhesion
and dissolution behaviour are the central properties. In the case of magnesium alloys this means a
well-controlled removal of the casting or rolling skin, which would be prone to corrosion and poor
adhesion. Additionally, in most cases the surface morphology should be smooth. An investigation of
different pickling solutions and pickling parameters showed a wide range of effectiveness (i.e., the
resulting mass loss and surface morphology). Another important and often underestimated fact is the
comparatively strong tendency of magnesium to react with the atmosphere. For that reason, after a
completed pickling and cleaning treatment the condition of the surrounding atmosphere and the time
prior to coating of the surface should be taken into account because of the formation of different
reaction layers. These layers have an effect on adhesion and the corrosion properties of the coating
system as a whole. For a documentation of the influence of different atmospheres and the timedependence
of the surface activity the measurement of the electrochemical noise is the preferred
technique. This is because it shows instantaneously the actual activity, even in the absence of external
excitation. The influence of different pre-treatments as well as exposure conditions and duration was
investigated using electrochemical noise measurements as a screening method. As a result the pretreatment
which is an important part of the coating process could be considerably improved.
As bio-absorbable implant material the magnesium alloy Mg-1Ca is able to degrade in-vivo. The mechanical properties of this alloy are similar to those of human bone; both Mg and Ca are essential elements in human body. The main problem is the high corrosion rate of this alloy. Two coating systems based on plasma-chemical oxidation and an organic dip coating are applied onto MgCa1.0 magnesium alloy in order to slow down the corrosion rate. The corrosion behaviour of the coated alloys was investigated with electrochemical noise measurements. The influence of hydrogen evolution and increasing pH-value on the cytotoxicity was examined. The results of these investigations suggest that a combination of both coating systems leads to promising degradation properties.
The degradation behaviour of an Mg-1Ca alloy is investigated in vitro to figure out the possibilities of influencing the degradation behaviour of such an alloy by applying heat treatment as well as the use of a coating system based on plasma-chemical oxidation. It is shown that an optimised solution annealing (T4-heat treatment) can reduce the degradation rate while an additional ageing between 240 and 300 °C (T6-heat treatment) increases it. A coating generated by plasma-chemical oxidation reduces the degradation rate in the immersion test. Its effect is depending on the former heat treatment of the Mg-1Ca alloy as well as on the parameter during plasma-chemical oxidation.