Studies on corrosion of Mg-Al-Zn alloy in 30% aqueous ethylene glycol

Abstract

The Mg-Al-Zn alloy is used in the coolant systems of automobile engines. Corrosion of Mg-Al-Zn engine components by coolants, which consist of 30% aqueous ethylene glycol as a coolant composition, is an important issue in automobile industries. With this preview, in the present study it is intended to study the effect of environmental contaminant sulphate ions on the corrosion behavior of Mg-Al-Zn alloy in 30% (v/v) aqueous ethylene glycol solution. Electrochemical investigations were carried out by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy techniques. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersion X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to study the surface morphology and composition of the alloy. Activation parameters for the corrosion process were calculated by conducting the corrosion studies at different temperatures. It was observed that corrosion rate of the alloy in 30% (v/v) aqueous ethylene glycol increases with the increase in the concentration of sulphate ions and also with the increase in temperature. � (2015) Trans Tech Publications, Switzerland.