Anti-Corrosion Properties of Array-Structured Superhydrophobic Surfaces

Inspired by the array-structured superhydrophobic surface of natural lotus leaves, an array structure was successfully constructed on the surface of AZ31B magnesium (Mg) alloys by a simple, green, and efficient high-speed wire electrical discharge machining (HS-WEDM) technique. The contact angle of the prepared surface was as high as 157 degrees +/- 1 degrees, and its sliding angle was less than 5 degrees. Therefore, the prepared surface has excellent superhydrophobicity. The wettability and anti-corrosion properties of the superhydrophobic surface were investigated. The results show that the microarray microstructure affects the superhydrophobic surface. The order of the importance of the factors is protrusion height (H) > protrusion spacing (S) > protrusion side length (L); the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the superhydrophobic surface prepared under the optimum process parameters is more than 95%. Therefore, the superhydrophobicity of AZ31B magnesium alloy can effectively improve its corrosion resistance.

Automated summary

Inspired by natural lotus leaves, researchers successfully constructed an array structure on the surface of AZ31B magnesium alloys using a simple and efficient high-speed wire electrical discharge machining technique. The prepared surface exhibited excellent superhydrophobicity with a high contact angle of 157 degrees +/- 1 degree and a sliding angle of less than 5 degrees. The effects of the microarray microstructure on the superhydrophobic surface were investigated, and the results showed that protrusion height (H) was the most important factor, followed by protrusion spacing (S) and protrusion side length (L). The superhydrophobic surface prepared under the optimum process parameters exhibited more than 95% corrosion inhibition efficiency, effectively improving the corrosion resistance of AZ31B magnesium alloy.