ABSTRACT
Rare earth elements (REEs) are predominantly used to improve corrosion resistance of Magnesium (Mg) alloys. One of the important effects on the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys is the so-called "scavenger effect." For Mg alloys used for biomedical purposes, the addition of REEs or mischmetal into Mg is supposed to increase their mechanical property, enhance their corrosion resistance, and improve their biocompatibility in the physiological environment. Development of new advanced Mg-Yttrium (Y) alloys that combine higher strength, higher ductility, and higher creep resistance with lower cost and less pronounced temperature dependence is of technological and economic significance. The corrosion behavior of Mg-Y alloys is closely related to the material itself and the corrosion medium. The strength and elongation of Mg-Y-based alloys decreased with immersion time, and they are significantly influenced by the media. Mg-Neodymium-Zinc-Zirconium alloy was also developed as tissue engineering scaffold by Y. Liao et al.
