The effect of silica NPs incorporation on protective properties of oxide layers formed by PEO on MgYZn alloy with LPSO-phase.

The inherited chemical inhomogeneity in oxide layers obtained by plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) on the magnesium alloy MgYZn is associated to long-period stacking-ordered (LPSO) phase present in the treated alloy. This heterogeneity results in decrease of corrosion resistance and adhesion strength. The problem was solved by adding silica nanoparticles (NPs) into the electrolyte under PEO.