Investigation of wear and corrosion resistance of nanocomposite coating formed on AZ31B Mg alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation

Ceramic-WC coatings were prepared on AZ31 B Mg alloy by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) from a phosphate based bath containing suspended tungsten carbide nanoparticles at various process times. Scanning electron microscope results indicated that increase of coating time and incorporation of tungsten carbide into the ceramic coating during the PEO process led to a decrease in the number and diameter of coating pores. Phase analysis showed that the nanocomposite coating was composed of MgO, Mg-3(PO4)(2) and WC. Tribological properties and corrosion behaviour of uncoated AZ31 B Mg alloy and ceramic coatings were evaluated using a pin-on-disc tribometer and potentiodynamic polarisation technique in 3.5% NaCl solution, respectively. The wear and electrochemical tests showed that wear and corrosion resistance of ceramic-WC nanocomposite coatings were better than ceramic only ones. In addition, wear and corrosion behaviour of coatings improved with increasing the coating time.