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Magnesium-containing multi-principal element alloys (MPEAs) are promising for lightweight applications due to their low density, high specific strength, and biocompatibility. This study examines two Mg-Ti-Zn alloy compositions, equal molar MgTiZn (TZ) and Mg4TiZn (4TZ), synthesized via ball milling followed by spark plasma sintering, focusing on their microstructures and corrosion behaviors. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy revealed the formation of intermetallic phases, including Ti2Zn and Mg21Zn25 in TZ, while 4TZ exhibited a predominantly Mg-rich phase. Potentiodynamic polarization and immersion tests in 0.1 M NaCl solution showed that both alloys had good corrosion resistance, with values of 3.65 ± 0.65 µA/cm2 for TZ and 4.58 ± 1.64 µA/cm2 for 4TZ. This was attributed to the formation of a TiO2-rich surface film in the TZ, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), which contributed to enhanced passivation and lower corrosion current density. Both alloys displayed high hardness, 5.5 ± 1.0 GPa for TZ and 5.1 ± 0.9 GPa for 4TZ, and high stiffness, with Young’s modulus values of 98.2 ± 11.2 GPa for TZ and 100.8 ± 9.6 GPa for 4TZ. These findings highlight the potential of incorporating Ti and Zn via mechanical alloying to improve the corrosion resistance of Mg-containing MPEAs and Mg-based alloys.
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This content will become publicly available on August 13, 2026
Spontaneous passivation in a Rare-Earth-Free Mg4(TiZnSn)3 Multi-Principal element alloy
Abstract Mg4(TiZnSn)3, a rare-earth-free Mg-based multi-principal element alloy, was synthesized via high-energy ball milling and cold compaction. Potentiodynamic polarization in 0.1 M NaCl revealed spontaneous passivation with a corrosion current density of 8.96 ± 0.83 µA/cm2and a nobler than Mg corrosion potential of -1058.35 ± 15.91 mVSCE. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the formation of a mixed oxide film containing ZnO, SnO2, and TiO2, contributing to the observed passivity. The alloy also exhibited improved mechanical performance, with a hardness of 5.06 ± 0.41 GPa and Young’s modulus of 109.24 ± 10 GPa. These results demonstrate that tailored multi-element alloying and powder metallurgy can synergistically enhance both corrosion resistance and mechanical properties in Mg alloys.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2131441
- PAR ID:
- 10652299
- Publisher / Repository:
- Springer
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Emergent Materials
- ISSN:
- 2522-5731
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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