Biomedical rare-earth magnesium alloy:Current status and future prospects

Biomedical magnesium(Mg)alloys have garnered significant attention because of their unique biodegradability,favorable biocompatibility,and suitable mechanical properties.The incorporation of rare earth(RE)elements,with their distinct physical and chemical properties,has greatly contributed to enhancing the mechanical performance,degradation behavior,and biological performance of biomedical Mg alloys.Currently,a series of RE-Mg alloys are being designed and investigated for orthopedic implants and cardiovascular stents,achieving substantial and encouraging research progress.In this work,a comprehensive summary of the state-of-the-art in biomedical RE-Mg alloys is provided.The physiological effects and design standards of RE elements in biomedical Mg alloys are discussed.Particularly,the degradation behavior and mechanical properties,including their underlying action are studied in-depth.Furthermore,the preparation techniques and current application status of RE-Mg alloys are reviewed.Finally,we address the ongoing challenges and propose future prospects to guide the development of high-performance biomedical Mg-RE alloys.

EFFECTS OF RARE EARTH ELEMENT LANTHANUM ON MICROSTRUCTURE AND PROPERTIES OF Ag-Cu-Ti SOLDER ALLOY

The effects of rare earth Lanthanum on the microstructure, the physical property and the microhardness of Ag-Cu-Ti solder alloy are studied. Experimental results indicate that the addition of Lanthanum can evidently improve the wettability and the microhardness of Ag-Cu-Ti solder alloy. Analysis results show that the increase in microhardness is related to the refining and uniform distribution of the intermetallic compounds. Proper content of Lanthanum added in Ag-Cu-Ti alloy solder can be controlled below 0.5% in mass percent.

Mechanism of Effects of Rare Earths on Microstructure and Properties at Elevated Temperatures of AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

By using real-space recursion method,the energetics of the undoped and Al and/or RE atoms doped 7（1450）〈0001〉 symmetric tilt grain boundaries（GBs）in AZ91 alloys were investigated.Similar calculations were performed on undoped and doped bulk α Mg for comparison.The results showed that Al atoms segregated at GBs in AZ91 alloys.When RE atoms were added,they also segregated at GBs,and their segregation is stronger than Al atoms＇.Therefore,RE atoms retard the segregation of Al atoms.Calculations of interaction energy indicated that Al atoms repelled each other,and could form ordered phase with host Mg atoms.On the contrary to the case of Al,RE atoms attracted each other,they could not form ordered phase with Mg,but could form clusters.Between RE and Al,there existed attractive interaction,and this attractive interaction was the origin of Al11RE3 precipitation.Precipitation of Al11RE3 particles with high melting point and high thermal stability along GB improves high temperature properties of AZ91 alloys.

Influence of Rare Earth Elements on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Li Alloys

A series of a-based Mg-Li-A1-Zn-xRE alloys were prepared. These alloys have low density ranging from 1.5 to 1.7 g·cm^-3 and high strength properties. The influence of RE element on the microstructure and the mechanical properties of these alloys were studied. The results indicate that the addition of RE （La, Pr, Ce） leads to the formation of rodshaped intermetallic compound Al2Zn2La distributed in the matrix. Al2Zn2La induces reduction of the laminar spacing and causes refinement of the microstructure. Therefore, this compound improves the strength of alloys at a high temperature.

CuZnAl Shape Memory Alloy Refined with Composite Rare Earths La+Ce

The effects of composite rare earths La+Ce on properties of CuZnAl shape memory alloys were studied bymetallograph examination, tensile and bending tests, electric resistivity measurements, EDS and SEM. The test resultsshow that the grain size of CuZnAl shape memory alloys could be diminished effectively and the mechanical propertiesimproved obviously by the addition of composite rare earths La+Ce (La: Ce=1: 1). Meanwhile, the excellent shapememory properties remained unchanged. The results of microanalyses indicate that the composite rare earths were segregated at grain boundaries and impeded the grain growth, leading to the improvement of the mechanical properties ofCuZnAl alloys. If the amount of composite rare earths La+Ce was greater than 0. 10%, the shape memorial propertiesbecame poor.

Effects of rare earths on the microarc oxidation of a magnesium alloy

The effects of rare earths on the properties of the microarc oxidation（MAO） coating on a magnesium alloy were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy（SEM）,energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy（EDS）,and electrochemistry methods.The results show that a nice and compact MAO coating was successfully obtained when the magnesium alloy was treated in nitrate solutions as the pre-treatment of MAO.However,the MAO was not successfully completed for the silicate electrolytes with the addition of rare earths.After the magnesium alloy being treated by rare earth nitrate,the obtained MAO coating has advantages such as uniform distribution of thickness,improved corrosion resistance,and nice-uniform surface,as compared with the untreated magnesium alloy.In addition,the time of non-ESP,the voltage and current density of the MAO process obviously decrease.Cerium oxide doped on the surface of the magnesium alloy can significantly improve the corrosion resistance of the MAO coating and decrease the current density of the MAO process,as compared with lanthanum oxide,whereas the doped rare earths have no significant effect on the components of the MAO coating.

Effect of rare earth elements addition on thermal fatigue behaviors of AZ91 magnesium alloy

Influences of rare earth （RE） elements addition on thermal fatigue behaviors of AZ91 alloy were studied. Repeated heating and cooling cycles were applied on the samples at 170 and 210℃ to develop thermal fatigue cracks. Crack growth mechanisms and microstructural influences were investigated by optical and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） as well as energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy （EDS）. Thermal fatigue behaviors were observed to improve successively by addition of the RE up to 2wt.%. This improvement was attributed to the consummation of aluminum in melt by precipitation of the needle shaped AII1RE3 phases. This process was attributed to the reduction of MglTAl12 phase volume fraction and consequent decrease of the brittle Mg/MglTAl12 interface which was the main reason for weak thermal properties of the alloy at rather high temperatures. Further additions of RE, however, reduced the thermal shock resistance of the samples by increasing the mean length of the brittle needle shaped phases.

Effect of rare earth on the microstructure and mechanical properties of as-cast Cu-30Ni alloy

Cu-30Ni-xRE （x = 0-0.213） alloys were prepared by a metal mould casting method. The effect of RE on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the alloys was investigated using optical microscope, scanning electronic microscope with energy-dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, and mechanical test. The results show that RE has obvious effect on refining dendrite structure and grain size, as well as on purifying the melting of Cu-30Ni alloy. With the increase of RE content, the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation increase at first and then decrease after adding RE more than 0.095 wt.%. Cu-30Ni-0.095RE alloy possesses preferable mechanical properties, i.e., the ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and elongation are 308 MPa, 125 MPa, and 51.2%, respectively. The microstructure and mechanical properties are worsened with increasing RE content more than 0.095 wt.%. The improvement of mechanical properties of Cu-30Ni-0.095RE alloy is attributed to RE refining microstructure and purifying the matrix.

Corrosion Inhibition Mechanism of Rare Earth Metal on LC4 Al Alloy with Spilt Cell Technique

A new method of studying the corrosion inhibition mechanism of rare earth metal（REM） on LC4 Al alloy with the spilt cell technique was studied. The principle and experimental method of the spilt cell technique were analyzed. By measuring the change of net-electric current between the two electrodes caused by the change of the amount of oxygen in the solution and the addition of CeCl3, the influence of corrosive performance of CeCl3 on LC4 super-power aluminum ＂alloy in the 0.1 mol· L^-1 NaCl solution was investigated. Meanwhile, the conditional changes of pH values, CeCl3 solution, additire and time of performance were also studied. Finally, the features of electrode surface were revealed by using SEM and X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometry （EDS）. By combining these with other electric chemical techniques, such as potential-time curve, polarization curve et al.

Preparation and Corrosion Resistance of Rare Earth Conversion Coatings on AZ91 Magnesium Alloy

The feasibility of forming pollution-free and environmentally benign Ce-based rare earth conversion coatings （short for RECCs） on AZ91 magnesium alloy to enhance corrosion resistance was studied. The effect of optimum processing parameters on corrosion resistance of RECCs, such as density of treating solution, temperature and time of coating formation were discussed. Protective performance of conversion coatings on magnesium alloy was evaluated by moisture/heating test, anodic polarization, etc. The results show that Ce-based RECCs under moisture/heating condition can remain intact, with high coverage and no obvious corrosion phenomenon. Corrosion potential increases and passive phenomenon occurs while current density decreases, therefore Ce-based RECCs can improve corrosion resistance of AZ91 magnesium alloy. The morphology of Ce-based RECCs prepared under optimum process through SEM observation is found to be a few particles coherent to the base coating, and the coating has no cracks and exhibits apparent corrosion resistance during corrosion courses of AZ91 magnesium alloy.

Effect of rare earth and alloying elements on the thermal conductivity of austenitic medium manganese steel

The influence of different contents of Cr, Mo, and rare earth element(RE) additives on the thermal conductivity of austenitic medium manganese steel was studied and discussed. The results show that the addition of Cr in medium manganese steel can improved the ordering of C–Mn atomic clusters, so as to improve the steel's thermal conductivity. However, Cr will lead to precipitation of a great deal of carbides in medium manganese steel when its content is greater than 4wt%. These carbides would aggregate around the grain boundary, and as a result, the thermal conductivity is decreased. By the addition of Mo whose content is about 2wt%, spherical carbides will be formed, thus improving the thermal conductivity of the medium manganese steel. The interaction between rare earth elements and alloying elements will raise both the thermal conductivity and the wear-resisting property of medium manganese steel.

Effect of Rare Earth on Microstructure of Vacuum Melting Ni-Based Self-Fluxing Alloy Coatings

The Ni-based self-fluxing alloy coating containing RE was acquired by the technique of vacuum melting on the hypoeutectoid steel (Fe-0.45%C) matrix. By X-ray diffraction, SEM and EDX, the microstructure and phase structure of section of coating and the microstructure near the interface between coating and matrix were investigated, and the effect of RE on microstructure of coating was also discussed. The results show that the microstructure of the NiCrBSi alloy coating is composed of Ni-based solid solution and a lot of massive, globular and needle secondary phases CrB, Ni_3B, Cr_7C_3, Cr_(23)C_6 among the solid solution. The metallurgical binding between steel matrix and coating is realized. RE makes needle phase of alloy coating vanish. New phases of NiB and Cr_(6.5)Ni_(2.5)Si are precipitated from alloy coating, and secondary phases of alloy coating are sphericized. Consequently, RE also hinders the diffusion of Ni, Cr and Si atoms from coating to matrix and Fe atoms from matrix to coating, holds back the dilution of Fe for NiCrBSi alloy coating, and assures the chemical composition of the alloy coating.

Effects of rare earth La on the microstructure and melting property of(Ag-Cu_(28))-30Sn alloys prepared by mechanical alloying

To obtain novel intermediate temperature alloy solders with a melting temperature of 400-600°C,nominal（Ag-Cu28）-30Sn alloys without or with a trace addition（0.5 or 1.0 wt.%） of rare earth（RE） element La were prepared by mechanical alloying.The aim of this research is to investigate the effects of the addition of La on the microstructures,alloying process and melting properties of（Ag-Cu28）-30Sn alloys.The results show that the addition of La produces no new phase.A trace amount of La addition can effectively refine the grain size,but the excessive addition of 1.0 wt.% La inhibits the alloying process.The influence of La on the melting temperatures of solder alloys is negligible.However,the trace addition of 0.5 wt.% La can distinctly reduce the fusion zone and improve the melting property of（Ag-Cu28）-30Sn alloys.

Preparation and Performance of Rare Earths Chemical Conversion Film on Magnesium Alloy

Golden yellow cerium conversion film was obtained on magnesium alloys surface by immersion method and the preparation parameters were established. The influence of different process parameters on the surface morphology and performance of the conversion film were analyzed by means of SEM and electrochemical method. Formation dynamics about cerium conversion film on magnesium alloy in solution containing cerium salt and the anti-corrosion behavior of the conversion film in 3.5% NaCl solution were studied by electrochemical method respectively. The results shows that the conversion film is more compact at room temperature when concentration of cerium sulfate is 10 g·L-1 in the solution; the open circuit potential of the magnesium sample moves up to positive direction about 100 mV, the surface of conversion film becomes even and lustrous, and the adhesion intensity of conversion film increases when adding aluminum nitrate into the solution containing cerium salt. The pH value of the solution and immersion time of the sample in the solution also affect the surface morphology and anti-corrosion property of the conversion film. After covered by rare earths conversion film, the anti-corrosion property of magnesium alloy is obviously improved. Rare earth conversion film has self-repairing capability in corrosion medium.

Friction and Wear Characteristics of Mg-Al Alloy Containing Rare Earths

The influence of rare earth on the friction and wear characteristics of magnesium alloy AZ91 and AM60 were studied. The results show that the wear resistance properties of rare earth magnesium alloys are better than those of matrix alloy under the testing conditions. The anti wear behaviour of AZ91 alloy is much better than that of AM60 alloy. In dry sliding process,magnesium alloys undergo a transition from mild wear to severe wear. The addition of rare earths refine the structure of alloys, improve the comprehensive behaviors of magnesium alloys, increase the stability of oxidation films on worn surfaces, enhance the loading ability of rare earth magnesium alloys, and delay the transition from mild wear to severe wear effectively.

Effect of rare earths on phase transformation in as-cast ZA27 alloy dur-ing compressive creep

The effect of the mixed rare earths of Ce on the phase transformation in ascast ZA 27 alloy during compressive was investigated under 37 MPa and at 160 deg C by X-raydiffraction technique and SEM. The results showed that the as cast microstructure of ZA 27-RE alloyconsisted of a dendritic Al-rich alpha' surrounded by Zn-rich beta' phase, interdendritic epsilonphase and Zn-rich eta phase together with a complex Z phase which was a complex constitute compound,(RE,Cu)Al_5Zn_(16), dispersed in crystal interfaces or branch crystal interfaces and stable duringcompressive creep test at 160 deg C. The phase transformations of ZA 27-RE alloy, decomposition ofbeta' phase arid four transformation, were delayed by the addition of rare earths, also the lamellarstructure and the spheroidized structure in ZA 27-RE alloy were finer than in ZA 27 alloy duringcompressive creep test at 160 deg C at the same creep time, and the compressive creep resistance ofZA 27-RE alloy was higher than that of ZA 27 alloy.

Improvement of Ductility of Powder Metallurgy Titanium Alloys by Addition of Rare Earth Element

Ti-4.5Al-6.0Mo-1.5Fe, Ti-6Al-1Mo-1Fe and Ti-6Al-4V alloys were prepared by blended elemental powder metallurgy （PM） process, and the effects of Nd on the microstructures and mechanical properties were investigated by scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and X-ray diffraction （XRD）. It was found out that the addition of Nd increased the density of sintered titanium alloys slightly by a maximum increment of 1% because small amount of liquid phase occurred during sintering. The addition of Nd shows little effect on the improvement of tensile strength, while the elongation is significantly improved. For example, the elongation of Ti-4.SAl-6.0Mo-1.5Fe can be increased from 1% without addition of Nd to 13% at a Nd content of 1.2 wt pct.

Electrodeposition of Rare Earth Metals and Their Alloys in Organic Electrolytes

The electrodeposition of rare earth metals and their alloys in organic electrolytes are reviewed. The solvents, electrolytes and operetating conditions are discussed. It is concluded that exploring the rare earth salt, which can be highly soluble in organic solvents and easily dehydrated, is the key to the pracitical utilization of electrodeposition of rare earth metals and their alloys in organic electrolytes.

Effect of Rare Earth Elements on Anisotropy and Microstructure of Al-Li Alloy 2195 Sheets

For the purpose of decreasing the applied limitation resulting from the anisotropic mechanical property of Al-Li alloy 2195, this study employed a complex heat treatment process, involving the pre-tension, thermo-infiltration of the rare earth element Ce, solution treatment, and artificial aging technology. The results indicate that the infiltration of rare earth element Ce benefits the abatement of anisotropy of Al-Li alloy 2195 sheet, in contrast with that of the normal heat treatment process. The gradient of the Vickers-hardness decreases at least 50% through the thickness, and the tensile strength in the rolling direction also increases significantly. If Ce was infiltrated into the alloy under the optimum pre-deformation, the yield strength （σ0.2） increased by 30 MPa while the tensile strength （σb） enhanced by 25 MPa compared to the rare earth free samples. Meanwhile, the fractography illustrated that the fracture surface of the sample became more desirable.

Effect of rare earths on corrosion resistance of Cu-30Ni alloys in simulated seawater

Cu-30Ni-xRE(x=0–0.213 wt.%) alloy was prepared by adding rare earths(RE) in melted Cu-30Ni alloy using metal mould casting method.The effects of RE on corrosion resistance of the alloy in simulated seawater were investigated using optical microscope,scanning electronic microscope with energy-dispersive spectrometer and electrochemical measurement system.The results showed that the corrosion resistance of Cu-30Ni alloy was greatly improved by adding proper amount of RE,whereas excess addition of RE worsened ...