Adhesivity of Al Electroplated Films on Mg-Al-Zn Alloys with an Al-Mg Intermetallic Compound Focus

To clarify the relationship between adhesive strength of Al electroplating film and Mg alloy substrate, the amounts of γ-phase (Mg17Al12) and α-phase (Mg solid solution phase) in Mg alloy surface was investigated. Al electroplating film on Mg alloy was formed by current pulse electrolysis in AlCl3-1-ethyle-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride mixture ionic liquid at 283 K. It was found that the adhesive strength was affected by the ratio of γ-phase in the Mg alloys and it increased with increasing ratios of γ-phase on the Mg alloy surface. The results suggest that the adhesive strength of the electrodeposits on the γ-phase is stronger than that of the α-phase due to little oxide formation on the γ-phase.