Improving corrosion resistance of titanium-coated magnesium alloy by modifying surface characteristics of magnesium alloy prior to titanium coating deposition

Nitrogen ions were implanted into AZ31 magnesium alloy prior to titanium coating deposition. The ion implantation induced densification of the original oxide film on the alloy surface with the formation of aluminum nitride and magnesium nitride, as well as an improvement in the adhesion between the coating and the substrate. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of the Ti-coated AZ31 alloy with the above pretreatment was significantly improved in 3.5 wt.% NaCl aqueous solution.