Wire-array-applied ultrafine tungsten wire coated with Al–Mg alloy layer via electron beam evaporation

Al–Mg alloy coatings were deposited onto superfine tungsten wire substrates via electron beam deposition at electronic beam currents ranging from 80 to 120 mA. The effects of electronic beam currents and baking process on the surface characteristics of the aluminium–magnesium alloy coatings were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Energy-dispersive X-ray was also used to investigate the composition of the coatings according to the chemical components of the source materials. X-ray diffraction results suggested that the Al–Mg alloy coatings consisted of an Al12Mg17 intermetallic compound and pure aluminium phase. Electrochemical measurements determined the corrosion protection performance of the aluminium–magnesium alloy coatings with different magnesium contents. Specimen tensile properties were related to electron beams and surface roughness. The anti-corrosion performance of the coatings was increased with magnesium content.