Effects of Y on biocorrosion properties of Mg-2Nd-0.5Zn-0.4Zr magnesium alloy

Effects of rare earth Y on microstructure of Mg-2Nd-0.5Zn-0.4Zr magnesium alloys were investigated by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The biocorrosion properties of the Mg alloys in the simulated body fluid (SBF) were evaluated by hydrogen evolution, mass loss experiments and electrochemical methods. The results show that the morphology of the precipitated phase changes from continuous network to discontinuous disperse, and grain size is refined after the addition of Y, a new blocky Mg24Y5 phase forms. Y addition improves the biocorrosion properties of the alloys. When the Y addition is 1%, the corrosive speed of the alloy is the lowest, which is 1.051 mm/a, only 40.81% of that of the initial alloy. ©, 2015, Central South University of Technology. All right reserved.