Influence of spark plasma sintering on microstructure and corrosion behaviour of WN43 Magnesium alloy for biomaterials

Abstract

Magnesium alloy Mg-4Y-3Nd was prepared by spark plasma sintering technique. The gas-atomized powder was sintered at temperatures in the range of 400-500 °C and holding time up to 10 minutes.

The effect of sintering parameters, particularly sintering temperature and holding time, on the microstructure and corrosion resistance was investigated. The effect of sintering on the microstructure was investigated by scanning electron microscopy.

Mechanical strength was investigated by microhardness measurements and corrosion properties were studied by linear polarization method. The results show that the sintering conditions seem to have only a minor effect on the final microhardness in the investigated temperature range.

However, the increase in the sintering temperature caused recrystallization and grain growth accompanied by dissolution and reprecipitation of secondary phases particles. Due to these microstructural changes, the corrosion resistance was improved.