The Mg–Zn–Zr–Gd alloys belong to a group of biometallic alloys suitable for bone substitution. While biocompatibility arises from the harmlessness of the metals, the biocorrosion behavior and its origins remain elusive. Here, aiming for the tailored biodegradability, we prepared the Mg–2.0Zn–0.5Zr–xGd (wt %) alloys with different Gd percentages (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5), and studied their microstructures and biocorrosion behavior. Results showed that adding a moderate amount of Gd into Mg–2.0Zn–0.5Zr alloys will refine and homogenize α-Mg grains, change the morphology and distribution of (Mg, Zn)₃Gd, and lead to enhancement of mechanical properties and anticorrosive performance. At the optimized content of 3.0%, the fishbone-shaped network, ellipsoidal, and rod-like (Mg, Zn)₃Gd phase turns up, along with the 14H-type long period stacking ordered (14H-LPSO) structures decorated with nanoscale rod-like (Mg, Zn)₃Gd phases. The 14H-LPSO structure only exists when x ≥ 3.0, and its content increases with the Gd content. The Mg–2.0Zn–0.5Zr–3.0Gd alloy possesses a better ultimate tensile strength of 204 ± 3 MPa, yield strength of 155 ± 3 MPa, and elongation of 10.6 ± 0.6%. Corrosion tests verified that the Mg–2.0Zn–0.5Zr–3.0Gd alloy possesses the best corrosion resistance and uniform corrosion mode. The microstructure impacts on the corrosion resistance were also studied.

Microstructure and corrosion behavior of the solution-treated Mg-1.8Zn-1.74Gd-0.5Y-0.4Zr (wt%) alloy were studied. The results of microstructure indicated that the second phases of as-cast alloy was mainly comprised of Mg₁₂Zn(Gd,Y) phase, Mg₃Zn₃(Gd,Y)₂ phase and (Mg,Zn)₃(Gd,Y) phase. After solution treatment process, the second phase gradually dissolved into the matrix, and the grain size increased. The effect of microgalvanic corrosion between α-Mg matrix and second phase was also improved. At the range of 470~510 °C solution treatment temperature, the corrosion resistance of the samples increases at first and then decreases slightly at 510 °C. All the solution-treated Mg-Zn-Gd-Y-Zr samples exhibit better corrosion resistance in comparison with as-cast sample. The existence form of the remaining phase affects the morphology of the corroded surface that relatively complete dissolution with homogeneous microstructure makes the sample more effective to obtain uniform corrosion form. The optimum temperature for solution treatment is 490 °C, which shows a much better corrosion resistance and uniform corrosion form after soaking for a long time.