Investigate the Metallurgical, Degradation Behavior, and Mechanical Characteristics of a Novel Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

Today, the use of magnesium alloys in medical applications as a decomposing material is extensive, so a new magnesium alloy Mg-2Al-1Nd was prepared by an investment-casting method in a medium protected from atmospheric oxygen. One of the rare elements, Nd, was added to improve the microstructural and mechanical properties and corrosion resistance in simulated blood plasma media. The XRF test determined the chemical characterization elements, the SEM test was used to identify the distribution of phases and their shape inside the base before and after heat treatment, and the XRD test was conducted to determine the type of phases that formed and the effect of these phases on other properties was studied. Also, hardness was measured using Vickers microhardness, in which the improvement rate was 75%, and a compression test to determine the mechanical properties of the prepared alloy found that the modulus of elasticity was 42 GPa. To study its corrosive behavior inside the human body, a test was conducted on corrosion by the Tafel method to measure corrosion resistance in simulated blood plasma solution, Where the value of the corrosion rate of the alloy after the heat treatment became 0.089 mm/y and Rp equal 4.13 kΩ/cm 2 , These results made the new magnesium alloy a good candidate for use in temporary medical applications.