Microstructure and corrosion resistance of a Mg2Sn-dispersed Mg alloy subjected to pulsed electron beam treatment

We report that the corrosion resistance of a Mg-Sn-based alloy with Mg 2Sn precipitates can be considerably improved by surface modification using pulsed electron beam treatment. The alloy subjected to a pulse electron beam treatment showed a modified surface layer with a thickness of similar to 12 mu m, appearing more resistant to corrosion attack than the bare surface of the alloy. In 0.6 M NaCl solution, the alloys with and without the surface modification exhibited average corrosion rates of 4.3 and 8.1 mm y(-1), respectively. The improved corrosion resistance was attributed to reduced cathodic activation, resulting from the surficial reduction of relatively noble Mg2Sn precipitates. (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of Chongqing University.