Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld

Sections of a magnesium alloy, AZ31B, joined with tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, were examined with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) to investigate corrosion mechanisms by correlating observed corrosion behavior with weld-affected micro...

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Main Authors: Leslie G. (Bland) Miller, Corey M. Efaw, Rebecca F. Schaller, Kari Higginbotham, Steve D. Johns, Paul H. Davis, Elton Graugnard, John R. Scully, Michael F. Hurley
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. 2025-01-01
Series:Journal of Magnesium and Alloys
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213956725000052
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author Leslie G. (Bland) Miller
Corey M. Efaw
Rebecca F. Schaller
Kari Higginbotham
Steve D. Johns
Paul H. Davis
Elton Graugnard
John R. Scully
Michael F. Hurley
author_facet Leslie G. (Bland) Miller
Corey M. Efaw
Rebecca F. Schaller
Kari Higginbotham
Steve D. Johns
Paul H. Davis
Elton Graugnard
John R. Scully
Michael F. Hurley
author_sort Leslie G. (Bland) Miller
collection DOAJ
description Sections of a magnesium alloy, AZ31B, joined with tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, were examined with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) to investigate corrosion mechanisms by correlating observed corrosion behavior with weld-affected microstructural variations. Insight into the changing nature of the galvanic couples between weld zones and at localized microgalvanic sites were investigated using SECM and SKPFM to map both electrochemically active regions and Volta potential differences across the weld-affected zones. The formation of an Al-Zn solidification network in the fusion zone (FZ) at and near the TIG weld epicenter differs from the outer heat-affected zone (HAZ), where intermetallic particles (IMPs) are the notable secondary phase from the magnesium matrix. These microstructures were mapped with SKPFM before and after brief exposure to a salt solution, revealing micro-galvanic couples as the main driving force to corrosion initiation and propagation within each zone. The IMPs and Al-Zn solidification network act as strong cathodes and govern the corrosion processes. The galvanic coupling and evolution of the intrinsic corrosion behavior between the weld zones is explained by monitoring the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with SECM over time. Anodically induced cathodic activation is confirmed for this welded material, as micro-galvanic couples between microstructural features are found to transition over time to broad electrochemically active areas within the weld-affected zones, resulting in polarity reversal as time of exposure proceeds.
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spelling doaj-art-89ba648e47ea4381bb197bbe7ddae91a2025-02-06T05:11:43ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Journal of Magnesium and Alloys2213-95672025-01-01131193206Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weldLeslie G. (Bland) Miller0Corey M. Efaw1Rebecca F. Schaller2Kari Higginbotham3Steve D. Johns4Paul H. Davis5Elton Graugnard6John R. Scully7Michael F. Hurley8Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 395 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, 22904-4745 VA, USAMicron School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr, Boise, 83725-2090 ID, USADepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 395 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, 22904-4745 VA, USA; Materials Science and Engineering, Sandia National Laboratories, P.O. Box 5800, MS 0889, Albuquerque, 87185 NM, USAMicron School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr, Boise, 83725-2090 ID, USAMicron School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr, Boise, 83725-2090 ID, USAMicron School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr, Boise, 83725-2090 ID, USAMicron School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr, Boise, 83725-2090 ID, USADepartment of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Virginia, 395 McCormick Rd, Charlottesville, 22904-4745 VA, USAMicron School of Materials Science and Engineering, College of Engineering, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr, Boise, 83725-2090 ID, USA; Corresponding author.Sections of a magnesium alloy, AZ31B, joined with tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding, were examined with scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM) and scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) to investigate corrosion mechanisms by correlating observed corrosion behavior with weld-affected microstructural variations. Insight into the changing nature of the galvanic couples between weld zones and at localized microgalvanic sites were investigated using SECM and SKPFM to map both electrochemically active regions and Volta potential differences across the weld-affected zones. The formation of an Al-Zn solidification network in the fusion zone (FZ) at and near the TIG weld epicenter differs from the outer heat-affected zone (HAZ), where intermetallic particles (IMPs) are the notable secondary phase from the magnesium matrix. These microstructures were mapped with SKPFM before and after brief exposure to a salt solution, revealing micro-galvanic couples as the main driving force to corrosion initiation and propagation within each zone. The IMPs and Al-Zn solidification network act as strong cathodes and govern the corrosion processes. The galvanic coupling and evolution of the intrinsic corrosion behavior between the weld zones is explained by monitoring the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with SECM over time. Anodically induced cathodic activation is confirmed for this welded material, as micro-galvanic couples between microstructural features are found to transition over time to broad electrochemically active areas within the weld-affected zones, resulting in polarity reversal as time of exposure proceeds.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213956725000052Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM)Scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM)Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)Anodically induced cathodic activation
spellingShingle Leslie G. (Bland) Miller
Corey M. Efaw
Rebecca F. Schaller
Kari Higginbotham
Steve D. Johns
Paul H. Davis
Elton Graugnard
John R. Scully
Michael F. Hurley
Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld
Journal of Magnesium and Alloys
Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM)
Scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM)
Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)
Anodically induced cathodic activation
title Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld
title_full Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld
title_fullStr Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld
title_full_unstemmed Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld
title_short Spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy AZ31B tungsten inert gas weld
title_sort spatial mapping of the localized corrosion behavior of a magnesium alloy az31b tungsten inert gas weld
topic Scanning electrochemical microscopy (SECM)
Scanning kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM)
Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER)
Anodically induced cathodic activation
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213956725000052
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