Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld

(Bland) Miller, Leslie G.; Efaw, Corey M.; Schaller, Rebecca F.; Higginbotham, Kari; Johns, Steve D.; Davis, Paul H.; Graugnard, Elton; Scully, John R.; Hurley, Michael F.

doi:10.1016/j.jma.2024.12.019

Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld

Journal Article · Tue Jan 28 04:00:00 EST 2025 · Journal of Magnesium and Alloys

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jma.2024.12.019· OSTI ID:2584387

(Bland) Miller, Leslie G. ^[1]; ^[2]; Schaller, Rebecca F. ^[3]; Higginbotham, Kari ^[2]; Johns, Steve D. ^[2]; ^[2]; ^[2]; ^[1]; ^[2]

Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States)
Boise State Univ., ID (United States)
Univ. of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA (United States); Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sections of a magnesium alloy, AZ31B, joined with tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, were examined with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) to investigate corrosion mechanisms by correlating observed corrosion behavior with weld-affected microstructural variations. Insight into the changing nature of the galvanic couples between weld zones and at localized microgalvanic sites were investigated using SECM and SKPFM to map both electrochemically active regions and Volta potential differences across the weld-affected zones. The formation of an Al-Zn solidification network in the fusion zone (FZ) at and near the TIG weld epicenter differs from the outer heat-affected zone (HAZ), where intermetallic particles (IMPs) are the notable secondary phase from the magnesium matrix. These microstructures were mapped with SKPFM before and after brief exposure to a salt solution, revealing micro-galvanic couples as the main driving force to corrosion initiation and propagation within each zone. The IMPs and Al-Zn solidification network act as strong cathodes and govern the corrosion processes. The galvanic coupling and evolution of the intrinsic corrosion behavior between the weld zones is explained by monitoring the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with SECM over time. Anodically induced cathodic activation is confirmed for this welded material, as micro-galvanic couples between microstructural features are found to transition over time to broad electrochemically active areas within the weld-affected zones, resulting in polarity reversal as time of exposure proceeds.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA); US Army Research Office (ARO); US Department of the Navy, Office of Naval Research (ONR); National Institutes of Health (NIH); National Science Foundation (NSF)

Grant/Contract Number:: NA0003525; NE0000338

OSTI ID:: 2584387

Journal Information:: Journal of Magnesium and Alloys, Journal Name: Journal of Magnesium and Alloys Journal Issue: 1 Vol. 13; ISSN 2213-9567

Publisher:: National Engineering Research Center for Magnesium Alloys of ChinaCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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