Abstract: An improved method for preventing corrosion of magnesium is provided. The method includes providing a magnesium substrate including a native surface layer of nanoporous MgO and Mg(OH)2. The method includes generating a CO2 plasma at atmospheric pressure, flowing the CO2 plasma from a nozzle exit as a plasma plume, and exposing the surface film to the plasma plume. The method further includes reacting activated CO2 gas molecules with the native surface layer by performing an atmospheric CO2 plasma treatment at room temperature to convert at least a portion of the native surface layer of nanoporous MgO and Mg(OH)2 into a nano-structured to micro-structured MgO/MgCO3 coating.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the at least partial removal of one or more polymeric coating layers from a coated substrate having at least one coated surface. The method includes generating at least one reactive species in an ionized gas stream discharged at atmospheric pressure; and placing the coated surface in the ionized gas stream. The at least one reactive species reacts with the one or more polymeric coating layers such that one or more coating layers is at least partially removed from the coated surface of the substrate at atmospheric pressure.