Influence of temperature on the atmospheric corrosion of the Mg-Al alloy AM50

The effect of temperature on the NaCl-induced atmospheric corrosion of the Mg-Al alloy AM50 has been investigated in the laboratory. The corroded samples were analyzed gravimetrically and by SEM, EDX, XRD, and FTIR. The atmospheric corrosion of 99.97% Mg was also studied for reference. While the NaCl-induced atmospheric corrosion of AM50 is strongly reduced with decreasing temperature, 99.97% Mg does not exhibit such a trend. The temperature dependence of the atmospheric corrosion of alloy AM50 is attributed to the aluminum content in the alloy. Several crystalline magnesium hydroxy carbonates formed at 4 and 22 degrees C but were absent at -4 degrees C. (C) 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.