The authoritative public forum
  for Metal Finishing since 1989
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Surface treatment processes for magnesium

I'm looking for surface treatment processes of magnesium and its alloys. The purpose is corrosion protection, a matte black finish is preferred. Can magnesium be anodised and colored?

Also information on the pretreatment of magnesium for electroplating is greatly appreciated.

Frank Vork
- Eindhoven, The Netherlands
1998

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Luke Engineering offers a patented, hard anodic coating for magnesium, Magoxid-Coat®. It has excellent wear and corrosion resistance properties. The natural color is off-white, however, a black version is available.

Chris Jurey, Past-President IHAA
Luke Engineering & Mfg. Co. Inc.

Wadsworth, Ohio

1998

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I am would like to obtain information regarding the effect of prolonged direct exposure (skin contact) to magnesium. That could be similar problems to what nickel has on human skin, i.e. causing rashes. or there is none at all. Any info will be highly appreciated. And I apologize if this mail system is not for this kind of non-industry related questions. Thank you very much.

Kit Koon

During research for a protection spec. for magnesium alloys I have come across conflicting information regarding a deoxidation process. In one it states the use of deoxidiser 624 prior to protective coat application and in the other a warning not to use the above deoxidiser, among others, is stated. Any information on which is the correct process would be appreciated.

Chris Flint
- St. Athan, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales
2000

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2000

Well, for one thing, pure magnesium is flammable and reacts violently with water. Our prototype shop was not aware of the flammability of magnesium metal and tried cutting it on a band saw. The resulting fire was contained, and the band saw was not permanently damaged, but it was not a fun day in the shop.

Pure magnesium can react violently with the moisture of your skin. One's initial reaction may be to wash it off with water. This does not help, and instead makes the reaction more violent since it is reacting with the water.

Magnesium's "corrosion resistance" is much like aluminum's. The metal actually corrodes very easily, but it ends up forming a protective shell of oxide/corrosion. Anodizing is the building up of this protective layer.

Your specific question may refer to magnesium that is not pure. It may be passivated and/or alloyed with other metals so that it doesn't pose such a risk. You may want to ask your magnesium supplier for a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) on their product.

Tim Neveau
Rochester Hills, Michigan