LAUSR

Abstract We report that alloying with Y remarkably enhances the corrosion resistance of extruded Mg–Al–Ca-based alloy. The corrosion rates, measured by immersion tests in 0.6 M NaCl solution at 25 °C, were 0.31 and 1.84 mm y −1 for the Mg–6Al–1Zn–0.5Ca–0.3Mn (wt.%) alloys with and without 0.25 wt.% Y, respectively. The improved corrosion resistance is mainly attributed to a change in the type of Al-containing intermetallic particles toward reducing their electrochemical nobility, resulting in reduced H 2 evolution rate during corrosion.