Predicting corrosion of magnesium alloys with complex microstructure and reactivity

汽车工业是加拿大经济的关键组成部分。如果这个行业想要在繁荣的同时减少对环境的影响，就需要在充电之前开发具有经济可行性的非汽油动力汽车。实现这一目标的一个关键方法是减轻汽车重量。因此，镁合金因其低密度和高强度/重量比而迅速成为人们感兴趣的领域。然而，限制其在汽车应用中广泛使用的一个主要问题是，当它们与碳钢和铝等更稳定的材料接触时，它们容易受到腐蚀。 该项目将使用实验和模拟相结合的方法研究这些腐蚀问题，并将导致开发新的实验和模拟程序。一个主要目标将是开发预测模型，以确定各种材料组合的腐蚀速度。这些模型将为参与制定具体铸造和涂层策略的人员提供有关腐蚀问题的指导，并有助于更及时地开发汽车零部件。 为了实现这些目标，已经组建了一支精通合金铸造、材料微观表征、腐蚀科学和现代电化学技术等关键领域的团队。该项目的多学科性质将挑战个别研究人员扩大他们的能力，使其超越目前的水平。该项目将与加拿大通用汽车公司及其相关实验室合作进行，这些实验室在这一领域正在进行积极的研究。

The automobile industry is a key component of the Canadian economy. If this industry is to prosper while simultaneously reducing its environmental impact the development of non-gasoline powered vehicles with an economically viable range before recharging is required. One key way to achieve this is to reduce automobile weight. As a consequence, magnesium alloys have become a rapidly growing area of interest because of their low density and high-strength-to-weight ratio. However, one major issue limiting their extensive use in automobile applications is their susceptibility to corrosion when they are in contact with more stable materials such as carbon steel and aluminum. This project will investigate these corrosion issues using a combined experimental and modelling approach, and will lead to the development of novel experimental and modelling procedures. A primary goal will be the development of predictive models to determine the corrosion rates of various materials combinations. These models will offer guidance on corrosion issues to those involved in the development of specific casting and coating strategies and facilitate the more timely development of automobile components. To achieve these goals a team knowledgeable in the key areas of alloy casting, the microscopic characterization of materials, corrosion science and modern electrochemical techniques has been assembled. The multidisciplinary nature of the project will challenge individual researchers to expand their capabilities beyond their present levels. The project will be conducted in collaboration with the General Motors of Canada and its associated laboratories, where active research in this area is well underway.