Preparing High Strength and Elongation of Biodegradable Zinc–Magnesium Alloys with Superior Antibacterial Properties and Biocompatibility

Abstract

The extrusion-formed Zn–0.5Mg alloy got a improved elongation and tensile strength by the addition of Mn. The influence of Mn on the strength contribution was investigated by comparing the microstructures of the designed Zn–0.5Mg and Zn–0.5Mg–0.2Mn alloys. The deformed binary Zn–Mg alloy had a grain size of 9 μ m, and the grain size of the deformed ternary Zn–Mg–Mn alloy was 3 m. This result indicated that the extrusion-formed Zn–Mg–Mn alloy had a greater contribution to grain boundary strengthening than the extrusion-formed Zn–Mg alloy. Furthermore, the precipitates in the two alloys show significant differences in size, morphology, density, and variety. Precipitates in the Mn-containing Zn alloy showed a smaller size, higher density, and the ratio of length and diameter. The high elongation rate of the extrusion-formed Zn–Mg–Mn alloy was attributed to the fully fragmented Mg 2 Zn 11 and deformable MnZn 13 phases. In addition to enhancing its mechanical characteristics, the Zn–Mg–Mn alloy, as extruded, exhibits the same corrosion rates, antibacterial properties, and biocompatibility. These results are helpful in expanding the applications of Zn alloys in the orthopaedic field.