Effects of microstructure evolution on discharge properties of AZ31 alloy as anode for seawater battery

Abstract

In recent years, many researchers have been focusing on improving the discharge properties of AZ31 magnesium alloy for battery applications. In this paper, the equal‐channel angular pressing (ECAP) is used as a preferred way of refining the microstructure to enhance the discharge characteristics of AZ31 alloy as the anode for seawater batteries. The electrochemical discharge behaviors of ECAP‐processed AZ31 alloy are investigated along extrusion surfaces, normal cross‐sections, and transverse cross‐sections and compared with as‐cast and homogenized samples. On the basis of the findings, the anode efficiency is improved effectively through the ECAP method, with approximate isotropy in the discharge behaviors of refined AZ31 alloy. The enhanced discharge performance can be attributed to the refined grains, uniform grain sizes, and dispersed β‐Mg17Al12 after ECAP processing.

Effect of microstructure on discharge performance of Al–0.8Sn–0.05Ga–0.9Mg–1.0Zn (wt%) alloy as anode for seawater‐activated battery

“…[ 2–5 ] Nowadays, most research studies focus on magnesium or magnesium alloys as anodes for seawater‐activated batteries. [ 1–7 ] However, there is relatively less research focusing on aluminum alloys as anodes for seawater batteries. This is because aluminum anodes face severe passivation behavior in seawater electrolytes, which is due to the inherent oxide film and subsequent product layer formed on its surface.…”