Development of physical vapour deposited Mg-Zr alloys Part 3 - Comparison of alloying and corrosion behaviour in Mg-V and Mg-Zr physical vapour deposited alloys

The microstructures and corrosion products of Mg-V and Mg-Zr physical vapour deposited alloys were compared. Factors affecting the alloying behaviour of Mg with V or Zr as well as with other alloying additions such as Ti, Cr, Mn, and Si were considered. The greater thermodynamic stability of the Zr oxide in air and Zr hydroxide in 3 wt-%NaCl were the main reasons for the enhanced corrosion resistance of Mg-Zr alloys compared to Mg-V alloys.