The relation between microstructure and corrosion behavior of GTA welded AZ31B magnesium sheet

Welding of AZ31B magnesium alloy was carried out using gas-tungsten arc (GTA) welding. The microstructure and the corrosion behavior of welded magnesium AZ31B alloy were investigated. ac and dc polarization tests were carried out on the welded Mg sheet. The microstructure was examined using optical and electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), X-ray analysis and EDS. Scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy (SKPFM) was used in order to measure the Volta potential of different phases relative to the matrix. The results showed that the GTA process effected both the microstructure and the corrosion behavior. These results can be explained by the effects of the process on microstructure of AZ31B Mg alloy sheet such as grain size and precipitates caused by the change in precipitation and recrystallization behavior.