Investigating the Corrosion Response of Cast and Extruded ZK60 Magnesium Alloy Processed via Shear Assisted Processing and Extrusion

An increase in demand for high-strength and corrosion-resistant magnesium alloysMagnesium alloys (Mg alloys) in transportation sectors has driven the development of new processingProcessing techniques. Towards this, in this work, cast and extruded ZK60 magnesium alloysCast and extruded ZK60 magnesium alloy were processed using a novel solid-state process i.e., Shear Assisted Processing and ExtrusionShear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) (ShAPE). Processing-induced microstructureMicrostructure were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) techniques, which revealed an extensive refinement in grain size, distribution of solutes (Zn and Zr) and second phases, and overall textureTexture. Comparative corrosionCorrosion analysis of ShAPE and feedstock alloys was performed using various electrochemical measurements such as potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and atomic emission spectroelectrochemistry analysis (AESCE) that indicate an improvement in corrosion resistance with ShAPEShear Assisted Processing and Extrusion (ShAPE) processingProcessing for cast feedstock but not for extruded ZK60. Post-corrosion microstructures were analyzed to elucidate the underlying corrosion mechanism.