Optimization of Surface Layer Properties of Mg-9Li-1Zn Alloy by Ultrasonic Surface Rolling Process and its Impact on Corrosion Behavior

doi:10.1007/s40195-025-01865-7

Abstract

Abstract:

The Mg-9Li-1Zn (LZ91) alloy was subjected to an ultrasonic surface rolling process (USRP) with varying passes for the purpose of modifying its surface state. The USRP transformed surface residual stress from initial tensile stress to compressive stress, decreasing the surface roughness and increasing the ratio of the β-Li phase. The USRPed LZ91 sample (3 passes) showed superior corrosion resistance, with the corrosion current density changing from 57.11 to 24.70 μA cm⁻², and the polarization resistance increasing from 576.3 to 1146.1 Ω cm². According to the corrosion procedure evaluations, in situ observation revealed that the LZ91 alloy initially experiences pitting, which subsequently develops into cracking. The substantial area coverage of the β-Li phase facilitates the formation of a protective film on the surface, effectively delaying localized corrosion.

Key words: Dual-phase Mg-Li alloy, Ultrasonic surface rolling process, Oxide film, Local corrosion, Compressive residual stress

Huimin Yang, Kun Yang, Guobing Wei, Rongguang Li. Optimization of Surface Layer Properties of Mg-9Li-1Zn Alloy by Ultrasonic Surface Rolling Process and its Impact on Corrosion Behavior[J]. Acta Metallurgica Sinica (English Letters), 2025, 38(8): 1421-1435.

Figures/Tables 18

Fig. 1 Schematic image of the USRP working

Fig. 2 XRD patterns of USRPed-0, USRPed-1, USRPed-2 and USRPed-3 samples

Fig. 3 OM images of a USRPed-0, b USRPed-1, c USRPed-2, d USRPed-3, e USRPed-4 samples; f the area fractions of α phases and β phases on the surface

Fig. 4 XPS analyses of naturally formed oxide film on USRPed-0 and USRPed-3 samples: a survey, b Li 1s and Mg 2p, c Mg 1s, d C 1s

Fig. 5 Surface morphologies of a USRPed-0, b USRPed-1, c USRPed-2, d USRPed-3 samples

Fig. 6 Surface roughness Ra and Rz of USRPed-0, USRPed-1, USRPed-2, USRPed-3 samples

Fig. 7 Residual stress values on the surface of USRPed-0, USRPed-1, USRPed-2, USRPed-3 samples

Fig. 8 Potentiodynamic polarization curves of USRPed-0, USRPed-1, USRPed-2 and USRPed-3 samples. The inset is the magnification of the USRPed-3 sample

Table 1 Polarization curve fitting results

Sample	E_corr (V vs. SCE)	i_corr (μA cm⁻²)	b_c (mV)
USRPed-0	− 1.64	67.98	− 246.22
USRPed-1	− 1.62	49.85	− 230.78
USRPed-2	− 1.61	30.30	− 232.80
USRPed-3	− 1.63	24.70	− 200.80

Fig. 9 a Nyquist, b Bode modulus, c Bode phase angle plots of USRPed-0, USRPed-1, USRPed-2, USRPed-3 samples. d Equivalent circuit

Table 2 EIS fitting results

Sample	R_s (Ω cm²)	Q_f (Ω⁻¹ cm⁻² sⁿ)	n_f	R_f (Ω cm²)	Q_dl (Ω⁻¹ cm⁻² sⁿ)	n_dl	R_ct (Ω cm²)	L (H cm²)	R_L (Ω cm²)	R_p (Ω cm²)	χ²
USRPed-0	7.8	2.1 × 10^-5	0.9	466.1	3.4 × 10^-3	0.6	638.3	1.5 × 10⁴	1205.0	576.3	4.9 × 10^-4
USRPed-1	20.6	2.1 × 10^-5	0.9	629.2	2.8 × 10^-3	0.6	795.2	1.6 × 10⁴	1627.0	759.5	8.2 × 10^-4
USRPed-2	39.0	1.6 × 10^-5	0.9	795.5	2.1 × 10^-3	0.8	1393.0	1.0 × 10⁴	1145.0	751.7	3.1 × 10^-3
USRPed-3	11.3	1.5 × 10^-5	0.9	926.9	1.9 × 10^-3	0.6	2746.0	2.9 × 10⁴	1666.0	1146.1	3.9 × 10^-4

Fig. 10 a Hydrogen evolution and b corrosion rates of USRPed-0, USRPed-1, USRPed-2 and USRPed-3 samples. The inset in Fig. 10a is the magnification

Fig. 11 Summary of the correlation between the corrosion rate and the density of the USRPed-3 sample, in parallel with a variety of conventional lightweight alloys

Fig. 12 In situ images of the USRPed-0 sample for a 60 s, b 90 s, c 900 s, d 1800s

Fig. 13 SEM images of a USRPed-0, b USRPed-1, c USRPed-2, d USRPed-3 samples immersed in 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 60 min

Fig. 14 Graphical diagram of the corrosion process of LZ91 alloy

Fig. 15 SEM images of the cross section of the USRPed-3 sample after 60 min immersion in the 3.5 wt% NaCl solution: a-1, a-2, a-3 showing enlarged images of the marked in a

Fig. 16 Corrosion depth and width of a USRPed-0, b USRPed-1, c USRPed-2, d USRPed-3 samples after immersion testing

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