Influence of microstructure on corrosion of as-cast ZE41

The influence of the microstructure on the corrosion of as-cast ZE41 was reported and the corrosion behavior of as-cast ZE41 was also compared with that of pure Mg and AZ91. The corrosion behavior and morphology of different microstructure conditions was explained on the basis of the microstructure and the corresponding electrochemical properties of the α-Mg matrix and the phases which make up the eutectic micro-constituent. The results show that the non-continuous eutectic micro-constituent does not act as a corrosion barrier and the advance of the corrosion can proceed around the eutectic micro-constituent. The phenomenon that α-Mg matrix corroded over the whole surface with little corrosion of the inter-connected eutectic micro-constituent indicates the absence of the corrosion barrier role of the continuous netike eutectic micro-constituent.