Corrosion behavior of Mg₂Zn₁₁ and MgZn₂ single phases

In this study, the corrosion resistance of pure Zn, Mg₂Zn ₁₁, and MgZn₂ single phases was investigated using an electrochemical test and surface analysis. The electrochemical test showed clearly that alloying with Mg significantly increased the corrosion resistance of Zn-Mg alloys. This study confirms that the Mg₂Zn₁ phase has the most outstanding corrosion resistance among these phases. The improved corrosion resistance of the Mg₂Zn₁ phase is attributed to the formation of an intermediate corrosion product. Intermediate corrosion products, which are formed on the surface of the specimen, have a role in preventing direct exposure from corrosion environments. In particular, among these products, Zn₅(OH)₈Cl₂· H ₂O (simonkolleite) contributes to the improvement of corrosion resistance, probably because it delays the formation of ZnO, the final corrosion product in the generative process.