Influence of Nd and Y additions on the corrosion behaviour of extruded Mg-Zn-Zr alloys

To improve the corrosion resistance of wrought magnesium alloys through rare earth (RE) additions, the corrosion behaviour of Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr-xNd (x=0, 1, and 2; wt%) and Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr-2Nd-yY (y=0.5 and 1; wt%) alloys in a 5wt% NaCl solution was investigated using immersion test and electrochemical measurements. The results of immersion test show that Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr-2Nd alloy exhibits the best corrosion resistance among the tested alloys. Electrochemical measurements show that secondary phases in RE-containing Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr alloys behave as less noble cathodes in micro-galvanic corrosion and suppress the cathodic process. The additions of Nd and Y into Mg-5Zn-0.3Zr alloy also improve the compactness of the corrosion product film and are beneficial to the corrosion resistance.