Microstructure and degradation behavior of Mg-6Zn-1Y-0.5Zr-0.5Cu alloy for fracturing ball applications

In this study, a Mg-6Zn-1Y-0.5Zr-0.5Cu alloy was developed as a potential material for fracturing ball applications. The degradation behavior of ZWCK6100 alloy was systematically investigated through electrochemical tests and immersion measurements in KCl solution with varying Cl concentration at temperatures of 30 degrees C, 50 degrees C and 80 degrees C. The findings indicated that the corrosion susceptibility of ZWCK6100 alloy significantly increased with rising temperature. Specifically, the corrosion rate escalated by 27.5 times when the temperature increased from 30 degrees C to 80 degrees C in 1 wt% KCl solution. Additionally, the corrosion rate was found to rise with increasing of Cl concentration. At 30 degrees C, the corrosion rate of Mg alloy in 1 wt% KCl solution was 37.3 times greater than that in 3 wt% KCl solution. These results from immersion measurements were consistent with those obtained from the electrochemical tests.