Effect of chloride ions on passivity of Mg based materials

The effect of chloride ions on passivation of pure Mg, Mg - 0.6 vol.-% Mo composite, Mg - 0.6 vol.-% Cu composite and Mg alloy AZ91D has been studied in 0.1M NaOH solution by cyclic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). An addition of even 0.05M of chloride ions was sufficient to cause breakdown of passivity. Cyclic polarisation curves revealed a positive hysteresis loop in the presence of chloride ions. Breakdown potentials decreased continuously, for all materials, with increasing addition of chloride. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies revealed that the film resistance of all Mg based materials continuously decreased with the addition of chloride ions. The film resistance of Mg - 0.6% Cu and Mg - 0.6% Mo composites was lower than that of pure Mg and AZ91D. Mg - 0.6% Mo composite showed the lowest film resistance in all the solutions. The increase in film capacitance, for pure Mg and Mg based composites, with the addition of chloride ions, was attributed to surface roughening. Mo reinforcements were more detrimental than copper reinforcements.