Effect of Microstructure on the Corrosion Resistance of the AE42 Magnesium Alloy Processed by Rotary Swaging

Microstructure and corrosion resistance of the AE42 commercial alloy processed by extrusion and rotary swaging were investigated. Microstructure characterization showed an increasing volume fraction of the refined grains with increasing stage of swaging processing. However, their presence was limited solely to the peripheral ring of ≈1 mm in all studied conditions of swaged material. Corrosion resistance investigation showed continuous decrease of polarization resistance that was attributed to the grain refinement and insufficient homogenization of the alloying elements during the swaging process.