Effect of Gadolinium Micro and Macro alloying on the Strength, Glass forming ability and Bio-Corrosion properties of Mg66 Zn30 Ca4

Mg-Zn-Ca based BMG’s are finding potential application in orthopedic implants due to low young’s modulus, high specific strength and Biodegradable properties. Addition of rare earth (Gd, Y, La) to the Mg-Zn-Ca leads to the formation of icosahedral clusters, which significantly increase the strength by retarding the dislocation movement. The aim of the present study is to investigate the Gd addition (X = 0, 0.1, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2 at. wt%) on the glass forming ability (GFA), compressive strength, microstructure and Bio-Corrosion. Different diameters of Mg₆₆Zn₃₀Ca₄Gd_x were produced using copper mold casting. XRD and DSC are used to analyze the GFA, SEM and TEM for microstructural analysis and three cell electrode Potentiostat for bio-corrosion studies. Bio-Corrosion studies are performed in Hank’s solution at 37°C. Cyclic polarization and electro chemical impedance techniques are used to quantify the corrosion parameters with respect to Gd addition.