Microstructures and Properties of Biological Mg-Zn-Y-Nd Alloy by Friction Stir Processing

Abstract

In order to improve the mechanical properties and processing performance of the Mg alloys, and to prevent magnesium alloy from non-uniform corrosion and too fast degradation in the degradation process, the biological medical Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy was modified by the friction stir processing (FSP) technique in this paper. The microstructural evolution and phase constitute of the stir zone of Mg-Zn-Y-Nd alloy were investigated, the microhardness and the corrosion properties of the alloy after FSP process was studied. The results showed that the FSP parameters had significant influence on the stir zone and thermo-mechanically affected zone. The stir zone experienced severe plastic deformation and complete dynamic recrystallization after FSP. The stir zone consists of fine equiaxed recystallized grains, and thermo-mechanically affected zone (TMAZ) has deformed grain structure. The second phase distributed along grain boundaries in as-cast state was broken during the FSP and transformed into fine, uniform and dispersed particles in the grains. After FSP, the size of grains was reduced from 50μm (as-cast alloy) to 1-2μm. However, the second phase constitution didnt change. The alloy obtained good comprehensive mechanical properties after FSP. The microhardness of alloy after FSP increased from 39HV (as-cast alloy) to 64HV(FSPed alloy). The results of electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid showed that the corrosion potential of FSP alloy increased and corrosion current density decreased, which confirmed the uniform corrosion of FSPed alloy.