A Review of Improving Corrosion Wear Resistance Properties of Magnesium Alloys Using Nanoparticles of Zinc Oxide Pigment by Plasma Electrolytic Oxidation Method

Magnesium and its alloys have unique properties, including low density, high specific strength, excellent damping capacity, and excellent workability. These qualities have made them extremely attractive for aerospace and automotive telecommunications equipment applications. Magnesium is highly reactive due to its high intrinsic chemical activity. However, the oxide it forms has little substrate protection, unlike aluminum titanium oxides, thus limiting its widespread use. One way to improve the surface properties of this metal and its alloys is coating. Plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) as a new coating process is a good option for applying a corrosion abrasion-resistant ceramic layer to metals like magnesium that strongly form a passive film. This coating has crack, porosity, and defects that allow corrosive agents to penetrate the metal layer easily. The use of nanoparticles in the electrolyte reduces existing porosity by creating composite coatings. In this case, more compact coating and diffusion of corrosive ions between the coating layers are harder, thus improving alloys' corrosion resistance and abrasion resistance. This study investigates the effect of zinc oxide pigment nanoparticles on improving PEO coatings and their mixing mechanisms in the electrolyte.