Published online by Cambridge University Press: 23 January 2014
An investigation was carried out to quantify and characterize the corrosion behavior ofAZ61A magnesium alloy joints. Extruded 6-mm-thick Mg alloy plates of AZ61A grade werebutt-welded using a solid-state, environmentally cleaner welding process, the frictionstir welding process. The weld specimens underwent immersion, salt spray, pitting andgalvanic corrosion tests in order to quantify and characterize the corrosion rates of thewelds with the influence of different pH values, chloride ion concentrations and thecorrosion time. The corrosion rates, microstructure, scanning electron microscopy andX-ray diffraction analysis concluded the optimum parameters for the usage of the magnesiumalloy welds for the best service applications.