On Electrochemical Polarization Curve and Corrosion Fatigue Resistance of the AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

Recently, due to increasing popularity of the magnesium alloys, many studies on corrosion resistance of the magnesium alloys have been reported to improve their corrosion resistance. However, it is not clarified yet whether an electrochemical polarization curve or a corrosion rate is a good measure for the corrosion fatigue resistance or not. In the present study, corrosion fatigue tests, the weight loss test, and measurement of the electrochemical polarization curve were performed in 3% sodium chloride solution using both the extruded and the rolled Mg alloys. It was clarified that there are no differences in the corrosion fatigue lives between the extruded and the rolled Mg alloys, though they have different corrosion resistance. So, it was concluded that the corrosion fatigue characteristic does not correspond well with the trend in corrosion resistance.