A comparative Study on the Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of the ZM20 and ZM21 Alloys after Casting and Rolling

In this study, the effects of grain refinement and production methods on the corrosion, corrosive wear and mechanical properties of the as-cast and as-rolled Mg-2 wt.% Zn (ZM20) and Mg-2 wt.% Zn-0,51 wt.% Mn (ZM21) alloys were examined by using OM, XRD, SEM, hardness and uniaxial tensile test. Additionally, the potentiodynamic polarization, immersion corrosion test and corrosive wear properties of the ZM20 and ZM21 alloys were compared. According to the XRD results, MgZn and MgZn2 phases were found in the alloys and also MnZn3 phase occurred in the ZM21 alloy with the addition of manganese. Both during solidification forming nucleation points with the added manganese and during rolling the broken secondary phase particles distributed into the matrix prevented grain growth and led to the formation of a more refined structure. The tensile test results showed that the strength of the as-cast ZM21 alloys were better than that of the as-cast ZM20 alloys and further improvement in mechanical properties occurred with the rolling of the both alloys. The most superior hardness was found in the as-rolled ZM21 alloy. In the total 400-m reciprocal corrosive wear test in the 3.5% NaCl solution, the lowest mass loss was in the as-rolled ZM21 alloys. In the potentiodynamic corrosion test, the highest corrosion resistance was occurred by the as-cast ZM20 alloy.