Processing and manufacturing

Magnesium–lithium alloy welding is straightforward, yielding welds with strength exceeding 90% of the base material, while minimizing the heat-affected zone; this results in reduced distortion, particularly for thin-walled components.

Conductive oxidation

Conductive oxidation involves immersing alloy components in an oxidizing solution, where redox reactions result in the formation of a thin compound layer on the surface, typically 0.1 to 2.0 µm thick. This layer effectively prevents oxidation of magnesium–lithium alloys in ambient air. It can be combined with micro-arc oxidation and paint coating to achieve both internal electrical conductivity and external corrosion resistance, thereby enhancing both functional performance and environmental adaptability.

The conductive oxidation process is suitable only for the most benign service environments. For aerospace components, the preferred approach is to combine conductive oxidation with paint coating, achieving internal conductivity while ensuring external absorption characteristics.

Electroplating

Electroplating is an electrochemical process in which a workpiece is suspended as the cathode on a copper rod connected to a power supply; upon application of current, the anode dissolves, and a metallic coating forms on the cathodically suspended part. The primary plating types include gold, silver, nickel, and copper; alloys are typically applied via multilayer deposition, with total coating thickness ranging from 20 to 40 µm, providing excellent corrosion resistance and exhibiting functional properties such as electrical conductivity and weldability. It can be used in conjunction with conductive oxidation or painting.

This process is primarily used in the aerospace, aviation, and defense electronics sectors for cavity components that require high electrical conductivity and weldability.

Chemical plating

Electroless plating refers to the process in which magnesium–lithium alloy products, pre-treated to form autocatalytic centers, are immersed in an electroless plating bath, where redox reactions deposit a coating onto the substrate. Commonly employed electroless plating processes include electroless nickel and electroless copper plating. The electroless nickel coating typically has a thickness of approximately 25–40 µm, enabling compliance with a 96-hour neutral salt spray test while delivering excellent electrical conductivity, solderability, and superior corrosion resistance.

This process is primarily used in the aerospace, aviation, and defense electronics sectors for cavity components that require high electrical conductivity and weldability.

Micro-arc oxidation

Micro-arc oxidation is an electrochemical process in which an alloy is immersed in an oxidizing electrolyte. Under high voltage and high current, an arc‑discharge phenomenon occurs on the component’s surface, generating transient high temperatures that induce the formation of a dense, complex compound layer. This layer can grow to a thickness of up to 70 µm, with a surface hardness exceeding 1000 HV, excellent wear resistance, and outstanding corrosion‑resistance performance. Following sealing treatment, the coating withstands a 400‑hour neutral salt spray test and exhibits non‑conductive surface properties.

This process is primarily used for components requiring exceptional corrosion and wear resistance, such as the exterior of chassis housings, surface treatments, and friction‑prone areas of guide rails. Corrosion‑resistant processes typically employ conductive coatings.

Electrophoretic coating

Electrophoretic coating is a coating process that exploits the electrophoretic migration and coagulation of polymeric electrolytes. Under the influence of an applied DC electric field, colloidal particles—small paint droplets—migrate directionally within the dispersion medium toward either the cathode or the anode. On magnesium–lithium alloy substrates, electrophoretic coating is typically combined with conductive oxidation and micro‑arc oxidation, enabling the formation of coatings in a wide range of colors. The resulting surface is non‑conductive and exhibits excellent resistance to salt‑spray testing.

Primarily designed for mass‑produced military equipment, it can be finished in a variety of colors, including military green, black, and ice gray, while meeting stringent corrosion‑resistance requirements.

Spray paint

The painting process involves applying a paint coating to the surface of alloy workpieces, which is then cured by heat or ultraviolet irradiation to form the final paint layer. Typically, prior to painting, the part’s surface must undergo conductive oxidation or micro-arc oxidation treatment; the resulting paint film is non-conductive and exhibits excellent resistance to salt-spray testing.

The primary functions of paint coatings are the “three protections” against moisture, salt spray, and mold, as well as meeting thermal‑control requirements such as solar absorptance and hemispherical emissivity.