Advanced Mechanical and Corrosion Properties of WE43 Alloy Prepared by Powder Metallurgy

D. Dvorskýa, J. Kubáseka, D. Vojtěcha, M. Čavojskýb aDepartment of Metals and Corrosion Engineering, University of Chemistry and Technology Prague, Technická 5, 166 28 Prague 6, Czech Republic bInstitute of Materials and Machine Mechanics SAS, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Dúbravská cesta 9, 845 13 Bratislava, Slovak Republic

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Low density and good mechanical properties predetermine magnesium alloys for use in the automotive and aviation industries. Also, their biocompatibility and nontoxicity make these materials interesting for research in the field of biodegradable implants. Magnesium alloys with rare earth elements are the most advanced materials among magnesium alloys. These materials are characterized by good mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. Different methods can be used for the preparation of these materials. An interesting approach offers powder metallurgy method because final products are often characterized by improved mechanical and corrosion properties. This work is focused on the preparation of the Mg-Y-Nd-Zr alloy by powder metallurgy method. Powders were milled in a ball-planetary mill for an increase of mechanical properties. Samples were prepared by extrusion of pressed powders at 400°. Spark plasma sintering was chosen as an alternative process for compacting of the powders. The microstructure of the final product was evaluated in terms of grain size and grain orientation. Mechanical and corrosion properties were investigated. Generally, final products were characterized by superior mechanical properties and also slightly lower corrosion rate if compared to the materials produced by standard methods.

DOI:10.12693/APhysPolA.134.748 PACS numbers: 81.20.Hy, 81.05.Bx, 61.66.Dk, 87.85.jc, 81.20.Ev