Corrosion and passivation of magnesium alloys

This paper reviews and discusses the possibility of the production of a passive magnesium (Mg) alloy through metallurgical approaches, such as purification, alloying, heat-treatment, mechanical processing and non-equilibrium sputter deposition. High-purity Mg and all existing Mg alloys produced by traditional methods are found to be active in a chloride containing solution. Passivity in a Mg alloy might be produced through a non-equilibrium technique with a sufficiently-high concentration of a strong passivating element supersaturated in the matrix phase. This paper clarifies important concepts regarding the passivity of Mg alloys, and suggests possible approaches to develop a passive, corrosion-resistant Mg alloy.