Study of Electroless-Deposited Zn on the Surface of Mg-Li Alloy

The Mg-Li alloy stands as the lightest metallic structural material known to date, finding a wide range of applications. However, its development has been hindered by its susceptibility to oxidation and corrosion. In this study, we aimed to address this issue by employing electroless deposition to form a protective zinc layer on the surface of a magnesium–lithium alloy. The optimization of the zinc layer was achieved through varying parameters such as the zinc dipping time (1~10 min), temperature (20~70 °C), and zinc content (20~200 g/L). Surface characterization was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, while electrochemical tests and scratch tests were conducted to evaluate corrosion resistance and coating adhesion. The results demonstrated the successful formation of a uniform and dense pure zinc layer on the surface of the Mg-Li alloy when the zinc-dipping time was set at 5 min, the temperature was at 30 °C, and the zinc content was at 50 g/L. Under these conditions, the corrosion potential of the Mg-Li alloy experienced the greatest positive shift, reaching as high as −1.38 V. Additionally, the corrosion current was minimized, measuring at 2.78 × 10(−6) A/cm(2). Furthermore, the maximum arc tolerance radius was observed. Consequently, the electroless deposition of zinc onto Mg-Li alloys significantly improves their corrosion resistance and bonding, opening up new prospects for the application of zinc-plated Mg-Li alloys.