Effects of Minor Gadolinium Addition and T4 Heat Treatment on Microstructure and Properties of Magnesium

Abstract

Mg-Gd alloys are candidates for degradable implants combining favorable mechanical and corrosion properties. Gd has a high solid solubility in Mg and an acceptable biocompatibility. The influence of different amount of Gd additions and solid solution (T4) treatment on mechanical properties and corrosion in 0.9 wt.% NaCl and cell culture medium (CCM) of magnesium was investigated systematically. The effects of Gd were clarified by microstructural characterizations as well as stress and degradation analysis. It was found that minor Gd additions to pure Mg led to Gd solid solution in Mg (α) and the formation of Mg5Gd IMPs (intermetallic particles), which increased the hardness, tensile and compressive strength. The GdH2 phase was found in low-alloyed Mg-Gd alloys. The corrosion rate (CR) was increased by the addition of more Gd due to the increased kinetics of the cathodic reaction. However, the resistance to degradation was effectively improved by T4 heat treatment due to the dissolution of IMPs. The reduced susceptibility to pitting can be achieved by a minor Gd addition and T4 heat treatment. The Mg-2Gd alloy is a potential candidate for implants due to its good combination of tailorable mechanical properties and low homogeneous in vitro degradation rate (DR).