Review of Mg alloy corrosion rates

A review of the literature confirmed that the intrinsic corrosion rate of high-purity Mg as measured by weight-loss is 0.3 mm/y in a concentrated chloride solution. Atmospheric corrosion of Mg alloys has produced corrosion rates of Mg-Al alloys an order of magnitude lower than the intrinsic corrosion rate of Mg in a concentrated chloride solution of 0.3 mm/y. The only successful strategy to produce a Mg alloy with a corrosion rate in a concentrated chloride solution substantially less than the intrinsic corrosion rate as measured by weight loss of Mg of 0.3 mm/y has been to improve the protectiveness of the corrosion product film.