Effect of KOH Concentration on the Microstructure and Electrochemical Properties of MAO-Coated Mg Alloy AZ31B

In this study, the effect of KOH concentration on the electrochemical properties of micro-arc oxidation (MAO) coated Mg alloy AZ31B has been investigated. Also, the surface morphology and chemical composition of the MAO coatings have been characterized by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction. In MAO process, an increase in the concentration of KOH as a result of increase in the electrolyte electrical conductivity leads to a reduction in sparking which in turn improves the quality and the behavior of anodic coatings in the concentration of 2.5 M. Moreover, it can be concluded that the MAO coating shows its best protective behavior when KOH concentration is equal 2.5 M, and if the concentration is higher or lower than this value, the protective properties of MAO coating will decrease.