Corrosion behaviour of AZ91D and AM50 magnesium alloys with Nd and Gd additions in humid environments

► Mg alloys with additions of Nd and Gd were exposed to high humidity atmosphere. ► The increase of Nd or Gd diminished the effect of micro-galvanic couples. ► Corrosion resistance of the AM50 alloy improved with the addition of Nd or Gd by 43%. ► Nd and Gd had no significant effect on the corrosion resistance of the AZ91D alloy. AM50 and AZ91D alloys modified with rare earths (RE) were evaluated under atmospheric conditions. Nd and Gd additions resulted in formation of Al2RE and Al–Mn–RE compounds and reduction of the fraction of β-phase. According to surface potential maps, RE-containing intermetallics were more noble than the β-phase, but less than Al–Mn inclusions. As a result, the action of micro-galvanic couples depended on the added amount of RE and the initial alloy microstructure. Nd or Gd additions improved the corrosion resistance of the AM50 alloy by up to 43%, but had no significant effect on the corrosion resistance of the AZ91D alloy.