AFM visualization of Mg alloy surface modification

Magnesium alloys with additives improving their mechanical properties are valued as materials with low density and elasticity coefficient. Additionally, their biocompatibility and biodegradability make them interesting in prosthetic applications. However, the last of these features, valuable in medicine, contradicts the industrial needs for the described alloys. The originally used methods of passivation of the material in question, in order to improve its corrosion resistance, cannot be used nowadays due to the high toxicity of hexavalent chromium ions used for this purpose. Therefore, work is underway to find a replacement that does not have undesirable features [1]. The results presented in this collection refer to the use of molybdenum compounds as an alternative solution. The images refer to the surface of WE43 alloy that has undergone surface modification with molybdates and then exposed to an environment containing chloride ions. The results of topographic imaging are presented in the form of 16 maps made in the contact technique with the use of the CSG30 probe.
[1]       Z. Feng, B. Hurley, J. Li, R. Buchheit, Corrosion Inhibition Study of Aqueous Vanadate on Mg Alloy AZ31, J. Electrochem. Soc. 165 (2018) C94–C102. doi:10.1149/2.1171802jes.