Topic: Controlling the Corrosion of Magnesium Alloys

Speaker: Dr. Nick Birbilis

　　　 Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Monash University, Clayton, VIC, Australia

Abstract：

The demand for magnesium (Mg) usage continues to increase, driven by new consumer products (such as portable electronics) and the need for light weighting (in the case of transportation). The corrosion of magnesium (Mg) and its alloys continues to be an engineering burden, in the design stage, the implementation and service stage, and in any corrosion protection strategy (be it inhibitors or coatings). In this presentation, the contemporary understanding of Mg electrochemistry is presented, in the context of seeking to control Mg electrochemistry for stifling corrosion. A number of demonstrations will be provided that show the ability to control Mg corrosion by: Alloying (controlling the chemistry for the purposes of restricting cathodic activation), Alloy design (microstructure and chemistry control), conversion coating (novel phosphate treatments) and functional coating systems (multi-layer).

Biography：

Nick Birbilis is presently the Woodside Innovation Chair at Monash University where he is also the Head of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering.

He remains dedicated to the understanding and control of corrosion of metals, involved in applied projects spanning aerospace, biomedical, infrastructure, automotive and defence.

In particular Nick’s research has focused on microstructure-corrosion relationships, where electrochemistry and microscopy are coupled to understand the genesis of localised corrosion. The ‘end game’ of such research is in the development of corrosion resistant alloys. To this end, Nick has made contributions in the areas of aluminium and magnesium alloy (the light metals). More recently he has made several key contributions in elucidating the electrochemistry of magnesium, which is of important relevance in the context of light weighting, electrodes and energy applications. Nick’s team have made several demonstrations of ‘stainless’ light alloys – including industrial uptake. Nick has authored over 200 publications; including having been awarded numerous distinctions and invited presentations.

 Nick is Associate Editor for the journal Electrochimica Acta, and Editor-in-chief of npj Materials Degradation. He is also a Fellow of the National Association of Corrosion Engineers, USA (NACE) and The Electrochemical Society, USA.