In-situ observation on filiform corrosion propagation and its dependence on Zr distribution in Mg alloy WE43

The direct industrial importance of the corrosion resistance in WE43 is best emphasized by its extensive use in the automotive, aerospace and electronic industries where weight reduction is a necessary requirement. In this work, the corrosion especially the filiform corrosion in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution and their dependence on the Zr distribution for WE43 were studied by weight loss tests, hydrogen evolution tests, electrochemical measurements and microscopic analyses. The Zr distribution significantly influenced the initiation and propagation of the filiform corrosion, and accordingly significantly influenced the corrosion rate. WE43 with a cluster Zr distribution displayed filiform corrosion throughout the entire surface with an irregular network distribution of filaments. WE43 with a uniform line Zr distribution exhibited only a few examples of linear filiform corrosion. WE43 with a dispersive Zr distribution exhibited no filiform corrosion. The stability of the corrosion film was responsible for the filiform corrosion. Anodic polarisation promoted the initiation and progression of the filiform corrosion, while cathodic polarisation had an inhibiting effect on the filiform corrosion. The serrated interface of the filiform corrosion increased the contact area between the substrate and the corrosive medium, and hence increased the corrosion rate.