Effects of Friction Surfacing on Microstructure and Properties of LA103Z Magnesium–Lithium Alloys

This study successfully fabricates modified LA103Z Mg–Li alloy coatings via friction surfacing (FS) at different rotational speeds. Multitechnique characterization (scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction) reveals that FS‐induced dynamic recrystallization, producing refined equiaxed grains with uniform distribution, effectively enhances microstructural refinement. While maintaining substrate phase composition, the α‐Mg phase content increases significantly alongside elevated Li ₂ MgAl precipitation. Grain size exhibits rotational speed dependence, demonstrating a characteristic initial decrease followed by an increase. Mechanical properties, including microhardness, tensile strength, and postfracture elongation, are quantified using Vickers microhardness testing and universal tensile testing. Electrochemical performance evaluation is conducted through potentiodynamic‐polarization measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to assess the corrosion resistance of coatings. The microhardness and strength of the Mg–Li alloy have been significantly enhanced due to the effects of fine grain strengthening and solid‐solution strengthening, especially at 1860 rpm. The microhardness, tensile, and yield strengths are increased by 54.31%, 43.43%, and 37.23%, respectively. The results of electrochemical performance evaluation also show that FS effectively improves the corrosion resistance of the coatings.