Cerium chemical conversion coating on a novel Mg-Li alloy

A novel Mg-Li alloy was treated in a cerium nitrate solution and cerium chemical conversion coating was obtained on the alloy. Then the forming process, structure and corrosion resistance of the coating were investigated. The influential factors of cerium conversion coating were discussed through orthogonal experiments, and the optimum processing parameters were confirmed. XPS spectra displayed that the conversion coating consisted of cerium compounds, and the major component of the protective layer was a mixture of Ce (IV) oxide and Ce (IV) hydroxide. In addition, XRD pattern illustrated that there was crystalline CeO2 in the conversion coating. Analysis by SEM showed that the cerium conversion coating was uniform with a fiber-like morphology. The thickness of the conversion coating was 12 mu m. The results of electrochemical potentiodynamic polarization and hydrogen evolution measurement indicated that the cerium conversion coating provided effective protection to the novel Mg-Li alloy.