Research Area

Surface Technology

Plasma Chemical Oxidation of Magnesium Alloys (PCO®12)

Due to the favorable strength/ density ratio, magnesium alloys will continue to be used for new and interesting applications in various branches of industry, prospectively. Of particular importance, increasingly complex and diverse requirements placed on surface properties also lead to higher demands placed on the methods for surface treatment on magnesium alloys. The process of plasma chemical oxidation PCO® offers the possibility to provide wide-ranging magnesium alloys with appropriate coatings with both corrosion protection layers as well as other required surface properties by varying the process parameters and suitable electrolyte systems, accordingly.

In combination with appropriate pre-treatment processes, it is possible to generate a functional surface for both wrought and cast alloys of all available magnesium alloys using the PCO® process. As with aluminum alloys, it is also possible to adapt the coating properties to the requirements in a wide range by variation of the electrical parameters and the composition of the electrolyte used.

The technology of plasma chemical oxidation for magnesium alloys has already been transferred to industrial use several times with great success.

Martin Teumer

Surface Technology
Team Leader
Electrochemistry

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Phone: +49 3641 20498 23