De-alloying Behavior of Mg–Al alloy in Sulphuric Acid and Acetic Acid Aqueous Solutions

The fabricated Mg–Al alloy consists of α-Mg phase and Mg–Mg17Al12 eutectic phase. The corrosion behavior of cast Mg–Al alloy in sulphuric acid (H2SO4) and acetic acid (HAc) aqueous solutions was investigated. The Mg–Al alloy shows general corrosion in H2SO4 solution, and the α-Mg dendrites revealed a slightly faster corrosion rate than that of the eutectics. In HAc solution, the alloy shows an obvious selective corrosion characteristic, with the α-Mg dendrites being corroded preferentially. Grain orientation plays an important role in corrosion behavior of the alloy in the HAc solutions.