EFFECTS OF Ce ON CORROSION RESISTANCE OF AZ91D MAGNESIUM ALLOY

As-cast and corrosive microstructures of AZ91D alloy containing various Ce contents were observed by optical microscope (OM). The phase compositions of the alloys before and after the corrosion were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Meanwhile, the corrosion resistance of the alloys was tested by weight loss and potentiodynamic polarization curve methods respectively. The results show that rod-like Al4Ce phase is formed in AZ91D alloy containing certain Ce content and as-cast microstructures are refined. AZ91D-0.7%Ce alloy has good grain refinement effect. The addition of Ce can reduce the corrosion rate and corrosion current density of AZ91D alloy and those of AZ91D-0.1%Ce alloy reach the minimum, which are 0.35mg/(cm2·d) and 2.761μA/cm2 with 75% and 86% reduction, respectively. The increasing volume fraction and reticular degree of β phase can improve the corrosion resistance of the alloys.