Improving mechanical properties of pure Zn by alloying with Mg and Zr and subsequent equal-channel angular pressing
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.54708/26587572_2026_812432Keywords:
Zinc alloys, , equal-channel angular pressing, microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistanceAbstract
A study of the effect of equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and alloying with 1.7 wt.% Mg and 0.2 wt.% Zr on microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion resistance of pure Zn was conducted in this article. The research showed that alloying leads to the formation in the Zn-1.7%Mg-0.2%Zr alloy of a two-phase state consisting of dendrites of α-Zn and an eutectic layer surrounding these dendrites, which is up to 30 μm thick and consists of Zn2Mg and Zn11Mg2 phases. After annealing of the Zn-1.7%Mg-0.2%Zr alloy, the thickness of the eutectic phase layer decreases to about 5 μm. This phase is still located along the boundaries of α-Zn grains, which have an average size of 20 – 30 μm. ECAP of the Zn-1.7%Mg-0.2%Zr alloy results in elongation of α-Zn grains along the deformation direction (grains width 5–7 μm) and formation of spherical inclusions of eutectic phase sized 3–5 μm. Alloying of pure zinc with Mg and Zr increases its yield stress (σ0.2) and ultimate tensile strength (σB) by three times but reduces elongation almost to zero level. At the same time, there is additional increase in strength to values of σ0.2 = 245 ± 2 MPa, σB = 295 ± 5 MPa, and slight improvement in ductility to value of δ = 2.3 ± 0.4% after ECAP. It was demonstrated that neither alloying nor ECAP affects the resistance of Zn to electrochemical and chemical corrosion. The average degradation rate of studied materials after 7 days incubation in solution based on DMEM (Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium) does not exceed 0.25 mm/year.References
Khan A.R., Grewal N.S., Zhou C., et al. Recent advances in biodegradable metals for implant applications: Exploring in vivo and in vitro responses // RINENG. 20, 101526 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2023.101526.
Chen K., Gu X., Zheng Y. Feasibility, challenges and future prospects of biodegradable zinc alloys as orthopedic internal fixation implants // Smart Materials in Manufacturing. 2, 100042 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smmf.2023.100042.
Wang Z., Song J., Peng Y. New insights and perspectives into biodegradable metals in cardiovascular stents: A mini review // Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 1002, 175313 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.175313.
Hassna E., Huang Y., Yan T. Biodegradable metals for cardiovascular and orthopaedic implants: A comparative review of magnesium, iron and zinc // Metals Advances. 39, 68–82 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metadv.2025.12.001.
Deng B., Zhang D., Dai Y., et al. A biodegradable Fe–0.6Se alloy with superior strength and effective antibacterial and antitumor capabilities for orthopedic applications // Acta Biomaterialia. 189, 633–650 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2024.10.012.
Mousavian S.M.H., Bautin V.A., Tabaian S.H. Advanced strategies for Mg-based biodegradable implants: Alloying, heat treatment, and coatings // J. Alloys Compd., 1040, 183575 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.183575
Li Z., Shi Z.-Z., Yan Y., et al. Suppression mechanism of initial pitting corrosion of pure Zn by Li alloying // Corrosion Science. 189, 109564 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2021.109564.
Venezuela J., Dargusch M.S. The influence of alloying and fabrication techniques on the mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility of zinc: A comprehensive review // Acta Biomaterialia. 87, 1–40 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2019.01.035.
Tong X., Zhang D., Zhang X., et al. Microstructure, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and in vitro corrosion and degradation behavior of a new Zn–5Ge alloy for biodegradable implant materials // Acta Biomaterialia. 82, 197–204 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2018.10.015.
Zhao H., Yang B., Ren Y., Qin G. Decreased strength and increased ductility of high-purity polycrystalline zinc extruded at low temperatures // Materials Characterization. 228, 115378 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchar.2025.115378.
Su Y., Fu J., Du S., et al. Biodegradable Zn–Sr alloys with enhanced mechanical and biocompatibility for biomedical applications // Smart Materials in Medicine. 3, 117–127 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smaim.2021.12.004.
Bryzgalov V., Kistanov A.A., Khafizova E., et al. Experimental study of corrosion rate supplied with an ab-initio elucidation of corrosion mechanism of biodegradable implants based on Ag-doped Zn alloys // Applied Surface Science. 652, 159300 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2024.159300.
Zhang J., Zhu X., Guo P., et al. Effects of Li addition on the properties of biodegradable Zn–Fe–Li alloy: Microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and cytocompatibility // Materials Today Communications. 39, 108661 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108661.
Riaz M., Shahzadi S., Imtiaz H., Hussain T.Effects of Ag, Cu or Fe addition on microstructure and comprehensive properties of biodegradable Zn-Mg alloy // Materials Today Communications. 38, 108513 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108513.
Hashemizarandi S., Riazat A., Emami M., Taghiabadi R. Effect of multi-pass multidirectional forging on microstructure and corrosion behavior of Zn-1Fe biodegradable alloy // Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 1038, 182810 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2025.182810.
Jia B., Yang H., Han Y., et al. In vitro and in vivo studies of Zn-Mn biodegradable metals designed for orthopedic applications // Acta Biomaterialia. 108, 358–372 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2020.03.009.
Zhou H., Hou R., Yang J., et al. Influence of Zirconium (Zr) on the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of biodegradable zincmagnesium alloys // Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 840, 155792 (2020) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.155792.
Martynenko N., Anisimova N., Rybalchenko O., et al. Structure, biodegradation and in vitro bioactivity of Zn-1%Mg alloy strengthened by high pressure torsion // Materials. 15(24), 9073 (2022). https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15249073.
Sitdikov V.D., Khafizova E.D., Polenok M.V., Abdrakhmanova E.D. Corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of the ultrafine-grained Zn-1%Li-2%Mg and Zn-1.0% Mg-1.0%Fe alloys produced by severeplastic deformation // Materials. Technologies. Design. 6(2(17), 109–128 (2024). (In Russian) [Ситдиков В.Д., Хафизова, Э.Д., Поленок М.В., Абдрахманова Э.Д. Коррозионная стойкость и биосовместимость ультрамелкозернистых сплавов Zn-1%Li-2%Mg и Zn-1% Mg-1%Fe, полученных интенсивной пластической деформацией // Materials. Technologies. Design, 2(17), 109–128 (2024)]. https://doi.org/10.54708/26587572_2024_6217109.
Abdrakhmanova E.D., Khafizova E.D., Polenok M.V., Islamgaliev R.K., Yilmazer H. Effect of the test regimes on the corrosion resistance of the Zn-1Fe-1Mg alloy // Materials. Technologies. Design. 1(16), 80–90 (2024). https://doi.org/10.54708/26587572_2024_611680.
Hua X., Wang K., Tong X., Lin J. Microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of biodegradable Zn-Mg-Zr alloys for biomedical applications // Materials Letters. 323, 132516 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matlet.2022.132516.
Aghajani S., Alizadeh R. Severe plastic deformation of Zn and Zn-based alloys // Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 33, 6508–6533 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.10.240.
Kulyasova O.B., Danilov I.A., Khasanova A.R., Bazhenova Ju.V. Influence of high pressure torsion on the microstructure and mechanical properties of biosoluble Zinc alloy Zn-0.8%Li // Materials. Technologies. Design. 3(9), 73–79 (2022). Кулясова О.Б., Данилов И.А., Хасанова А.Р., Баженова Ю.В. Влияние интенсивной пластической деформации кручением на микроструктуру и механические свойства биорастворимого цинкового сплава Zn-0,8%Li // Materials. Technologies. Design, 3(9), 73–79 (2022). https://doi.org/10.54708/26587572_2022_43973.
Ye L., Liu H., Sun C., et al. Achieving high strength, excellent ductility, and suitable biodegradabilityin a Zn-0.1Mg alloy using room-temperature ECAP // Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 926, 166906 (2022).https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2022.166906.
Duan J., Li L., Cao F., et al. An in vitro and in vivo study of biodegradable Zn–Cu–Li alloy with high strength and ductility fabricated by hot extrusion combined withroom-temperature ECAP // Journal of Materials Research and Technology. 33, 4226–4242 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2024.10.110.
Zhang W., Sun X., Liu D., Liang G., Gao J. Microstructure and properties of biodegradable Zn-0.8Mn-0.5Cu-0.2Sr alloys processed by ECAP // Materials Today Communications. 39, 108630 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mtcomm.2024.108630.
Atif M., Liu H., Zhou J., et al. Influence of rolling and equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) on the microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of Zn-0.5Li-0.3Mn alloy // Materials Science and Engineering A. 953, 149757 (2026). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msea.2026.149757.
Liang H., Wu H., Yin D., et al. Potential of biodegradable Zn alloys with fine grains for orthopedic and antibacterial applications // Materials Advances. 6(11), 3495–3511 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1039/d4ma01094a.
Martynenko N., Anisimova N., Tabachkova N., et al. Improved mechanical properties of biocompatible Zn-1.7%Mg and Zn-1.7%Mg-0.2%Zr alloys deformed with high-pressure torsion // Metals. 13(11), 1817 (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/met13111817.
Yao C., Wang Z., Tay S.L., Zhu T., Gao W. Effects of Mg on microstructure and corrosion properties of Zn–Mg alloy // J. Alloys Compd., 602, 101-107 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.03.025.
Ji C., Ma A., Jiang J., et al. Research status and future prospects of biodegradable Zn-Mg alloys // Journal of Alloys and Compounds. 993, 174669 (2024) https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.174669.
Huang H., Liu H., Wang L.S., Li Y.-H., Agbedor S.-O., Bai J., Xue F., Jiang J.-H. A High-Strength and Biodegradable Zn–Mg Alloy with Refined Ternary Eutectic Structure Processed by ECAP // Acta Metallurgica Sinnica (English Letters). 33, 1191–1200 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40195-020-01027-x.
Osório W.R., Spinelli J.E., Freire C.M., Garcia A. The role of macrostructural and microstructural morphologies on the corrosion resistance of Zn and a Zn-4% Al alloy // Materials and Manufacturing Processes. 3, 341–345 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1080/10426910701190386.
Prosek T., Nazarov A., Bexell U., Thierry D., Serak J. Corrosion mechanism of model zinc–magnesium alloys in atmospheric conditions // Corr. Sci., 50, 8, 2008, 2216-2231 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.corsci.2008.06.008
García-Mintegui C., Córdoba L.C., Buxadera-Palomero J., et al. Zn-Mg and Zn-Cu alloys for stenting applications: From nanoscale mechanical characterization to in vitro degradation and biocompatibility // Bioactive Materials. 12, 4430–4446 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.04.015.
