Corrosion and mechanical properties of AM50 magnesium alloy after modified by different amounts of rare earth element Gadolinium

Abstract

Abstract To improve the corrosion and mechanical properties of the AM50 magnesium alloy, different amounts of the rare earth element gadolinium were used. The microstructure, corrosion and mechanical properties were evaluated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and electrochemical and mechanical stretch methods. The results indicate that, with Gd addition, the amount of the Al 2 Gd 3 phase increased while the β -Mg 17 Al 12 phase amount decreased. Due to the Gd addition, the grain of the AM50 magnesium alloy was significantly refined, which improved its tensile strength. Further, the decrease in the amount of the β phase improved the corrosion resistance of the alloy. The fracture mechanism of the Gd-modified AM50 magnesium alloy was a quasi-cleavage fracture. Finally, the optimum corrosion residual strength of the AM50 magnesium alloy occurred with 1 wt.%of added Gd.