Corrosion and Ballistic Analysis of New Military Grade Magnesium Alloys AMX602 and ZAXE1711 for Armor Applications

Since 2006, the U.S. Army has been evaluating magnesium (Mg) alloys for ballistic structural applications.  While Mg-alloys have been used in military structural applications since WWII, very little research has been done to improve its mediocre ballistic performance.  The Army’s need for ultra-lightweight armor systems has led to research and development of high strength, high ductility Mg-alloys.  The U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) and the Joining and Welding Research Institute (JWRI) of Osaka University collaborated through International Technology Center-Pacific (ITC-PAC) Contract Number FA-5209-09-P-0158 to develop the next generation of high strength, high ductility Mg-alloys using a novel Spinning Water Atomization Process (SWAP) for rapid solidification.  New alloys AMX602 and ZAXE1711 in extruded bar form are characterized for microstructure, mechanical, corrosion resistance, and ballistic response.  Corrosion evaluations included neutral saltfog, GMW14872 (GM 9540P), and cyclic polarization comparisons. Increases in ballistic performance and favorable corrosion resistance were evident when compared to the baseline alloy AZ31B.

Keywords:  Magnesium, armor, corrosion, ballistics, AMX602, ZAXE1711, saltfog, GMW14872, GM 9540P, polarization