Abstract: The protective ceramic coatings were prepared on SiC particle reinforced magnesium matrix composite by microarc oxidation (MAO) surface treatment technique. The surface morphology, cross-sectional microstructure and phase constituent of ceramic coatings were analyzed. And the microhardness profile, thermal shock resistance and electrochemical corrosion behavior of the coatings were measured. The ceramic coating consists of MgO, Mg₂SiO₄ and a few phases related to the electrolyte elements. Furthermore, a few residual SiC reinforced particles are also remained in the coatings. The maximum hardness of the coating is about HV800, which is at least five times higher than that of the uncoated composite substrate. The coatings do not detach from composite substrate after the coated samples undergo 100 thermal shocks, heating the sample to 500℃ and then quenching into water, which displays a good thermal shock resistance for the MAO coatings on SiC_P/AZ31 composite. In addition, after MAO surface treatment, the corrosion resistance of the SiC_P/AZ31 composite is greatly improved.

Key words: microarc oxidation, magnesium matrix composites, ceramic coating, properties