Improved mechanical properties and extraordinary plastic isotropy of ultrafine-grained pure Zn prepared by spark plasma sintering using fine particle and heat treatment

Abstract

In this study, fine-grained Zn samples with excellent mechanical properties were prepared via spark plasma sintering (SPS) using Zn fine particles and heat treatment. The as-sintered sample prepared by SPS exhibited fine grain size and random crystallographic texture. Moreover, heat treatment induced recrystallization and reduced the strain accumulated in the vicinity of the grain boundaries of the as-sintered samples. Compared to as-cast samples, the plastic anisotropy of the as-sintered and heat-treated samples was significantly reduced, attributable to the refined grain size and random crystal texture achieved through sintering. Mechanical testing revealed superior properties in the sintered and heat-treated samples, with the sample heat-treated at 650 K demonstrating an exceptional elongation exceeding 80 %. The remarkable mechanical performance is linked to the initial microstructural characteristics and dynamic recrystallization (DRX) occurring during deformation. These findings suggest that the combination of SPS and heat treatment is an effective strategy for enhancing the mechanical properties of Zn, presenting potential applications in advanced materials and biomaterials.