Study on Corrosion and Stress Corrosion Cracking Behaviors of AZ31 Alloy in Sodium Sulfate Solution

The potentiodynamic polarization test and slow strain rate tensile test were carried out in 3.5 wt.% Na2SO4 solution with different pH values (2, 7, and 12). It was found that the SCC susceptibility of AZ31 magnesium alloy in 3.5 wt.% Na2SO4 solution was deteriorated significantly with the decreasing pH. This was consistent with the electrochemical properties. There were filiform corrosion forms on the specimen surface after slow strain rate tensile test in 3.5 wt.% Na2SO4 solution, which indicated the characteristics of general corrosion. Moreover, there were multiple stress corrosion crack initiation sources. The SCC fracture of AZ31 magnesium alloy in air was a mix type, while it was cleavage fracture in 3.5 wt.% Na2SO4 solution.