Improvement of corrosion resistance of AZ91D magnesium alloy by holmium addition

The corrosion behaviour of two Mg–9Al–Ho alloys (Mg–9Al–0.24Ho and Mg–9Al–0.44Ho) was evaluated by general corrosion measurements and electrochemical methods in 3.5% NaCl solution saturated with Mg(OH)2. The experimental results were compared with that of Mg–9Al alloy without Ho addition. Various corrosion rate tests showed that the addition of Ho obviously enhanced corrosion resistance of Mg–9Al alloy. The microstructure of the three magnesium alloys and the morphology of their corrosion product film were examined by Electron Probe Microanalysis (EPMA) and Energy Dispersion Spectroscopy (EDS). The alloys with Ho addition showed a microstructure characterized by α phase solid solution, which was surrounded by some β phase and grain-like Ho-containing phase. The improvement of corrosion resistance of the Mg–9Al–Ho alloys could be explained by the fact that the deposited Ho-containing phases were less cathodic. Moreover, the corrosion product films on the Ho-containing alloy surface demonstrated their ability to restrain further corrosion.