Improvement of mechanical properties and saline corrosion resistance of extruded Mg-8Gd-4Y-0.5Zr by alloying with 2Â wt.% Zn

An enhancement of tensile and compressive yield strengths, ultimate tensile and compressive strengths and hardness of extruded Mg-8Gd-4Y-0.5Zr have been achieved by alloying with 2 wt.% Zn. Corrosion resistance of the extruded Mg-8Gd-4Y-0.5Zr alloy in saline solutions is also improved by alloying with 2 wt.% Zn. These enhancements could be attributed to the suppression of Mg(Gd,Y) intermetallic phases and the inducement of MgZn precipitation in the Mg matrix along with grain refinement, resulting in an improvement of mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. In addition, an interaction of Zn oxide with Mg, Gd, Y, and Zr products serve as a corrosion barrier by alloying with Zn.