Research Status on the Corrosion Resistance and Protective Coating Technologies of Mg-Rare Earth Alloys

Mg alloys are among the lightest metallic structural materials used in engineering applications, possessing a range of favorable properties and holding broad application prospects. However, the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys is relatively poor compared to other metallic structural materials, which limits their use in various working environments. The addition of rare earth elements is one approach to improving the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys; nevertheless, the corrosion resistance of Mg-rare earth alloys still falls short of industrial application requirements. This paper aims to introduce the corrosion resistance of Mg-rare earth alloys and their applied protective coatings. Through coating characterization techniques, the protective effects of coatings on Mg-rare earth alloys are analyzed and elucidated. Finally, a summary and outlook on the corrosion resistance of Mg-rare earth alloys and coating protection technologies are provided.