Electrochemical co-deposition of magnesium-aluminum alloys in alkali chloride melt

To obtain magnesium base alloys through electrochemical co-deposition from alkali chloride melt with relatively lower density (i.e. LiCl-NaCl), a series of electroanalytical measurements were performed for the system of MgCl ₂-AlCl₃-NaCl-LiCl melt. The basic parameters for the electrode process such as the numbers of electron, diffusion coefficients of the magnesium and aluminum ions were determined by cyclic voltammetry and square wave voltammetry. A laboratory investigation of the direct production of the Mg-Al alloys by galvanostatic method was also performed based on the results of the measurements. The results approved the possibility of codeposition at the appropriate conditions. The component of alloys can be controlled through adjusting quantity of fed MgCl₂ and AlCl₃.