Low Friction and High Wear Resistant Magnesium Hydroxide Layer Formed on Am50 Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

In order to improve the wear and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy, the magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) layer with a thickness of about 20 mm was directly prepared on AM50 magnesium alloy substrate in superheated water vapor at 200 oC for 2 h under a pressure ~ 0.12 MPa. The preparation of the layers does not require expensive equipment, complicated manipulation and any pretreatment. The electrical energy and a very small amount of tap water were consumed in the processing. Compared to the untreated sample, the friction coefficient decreased from ~0.45 to ~0.15. The wear rate was reduced by approximately 20 times. The relatively thick Mg(OH)2 layer acted to enhance the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy.

Keywords: Mg(OH)2 layer, Magnesium alloy, Superheated water vapor, Wear resistance