Influence of surface pretreatment on the anodizing film of Mg alloy and the mechanism of the ultrasound during the pretreatment

The effect of surface pretreatments on the micro-morphology, composition and the corrosion resistance of the anodic films formed on AZ91D magnesium alloys was investigated. The results showed that the aluminium content increased layer can be formed on the surface of the AZ91D magnesium alloys by the immersion pretreatment in aluminium nitrate solution with or without ultrasound. The pretreated surface with ultrasound was more uniform except for some pits. The anodic oxidation films on the pretreated magnesium alloys with ultrasound contained more aluminium and the pretreatment improved the uniformity of the anodic films. The use of ultrasound in the pretreatment process could significantly decrease the quantity and size of the micro-pores on the anodic films. The corrosion resistance of the anodic films formed on the pretreated magnesium alloys was improved. The corrosion resistance with ultrasound was better than that without ultrasound in the pretreatment process. In this paper, the effect and mechanism of the ultrasound during the immersion pretreatment process in aluminium nitrate solution was also discussed.