The relationship between microstructure and corrosion behaviors of Mg‐3Y‐xNd alloys (x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt%)

Mg‐3Y‐xNd ( x = 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 wt%) alloys were investigated to reveal relationship between the microstructure and corrosion resistance. The microstructure and precipitated phases were analyzed by optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), and X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The volume fraction of Mg 14 Y 2 Nd phase increased with the addition of Nd‐content, whereas the Mg 3 (Y,Nd) phase decreased. The electrochemical corrosion current density decreased from 723.14 µA · cm −2 to 297.55 µA · cm −2 . The open circuit potential (OCP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) confirmed that Mg‐3Y‐1.5Nd was the best corrosion resistant alloy, which showed the largest mechanical strength after salt spray. The results indicated that type and amount of precipitated phases played an important role in the corrosion properties. This research is expected to provide a guiding insight into developing the Mg‐Y‐Nd alloy.