Abstract:Zinc alloy coating attracted much attention due to its high anti-corrosive properties. Particularly, zinc alloy coatings containing magnesium was considered a promising metallic alloy due to a remarkable improvement of corrosion resistance. The proper magnesium content for Zn-Mg alloy coatings was studied. The samples were prepared using thermal evaporation method. The influence of Zn-Mg alloy coating on corrosion resistance was evaluated using immersion test, potentiodynamic test, and galvanic test in 3% NaCl solution at room temperature. The results show that the corrosion resistance of Zn-Mg alloy coatings is strongly dependent on magnesium content. Corrosion potential decreases with increasing magnesium content, whereas current density increases up to 15% magnesium content, and passivity region was found only in Zn-Mg coatings.

Key words: magnesium; zinc; corrosion resistance; physical vapor deposition; coating; electrochemistry