Optimization of mechanical, corrosion properties and cytotoxicity of biodegradable Zn-Mn alloys by synergy of high-pressure solidification and cold rolling process

Abstract

Zinc (Zn) and Zn-based alloys are biodegradable materials, that have recently gained significant research attention due to their moderate degradation rate and good biocompatibility. However, their clinical applications are limited by their inferior mechanical properties. In this study, Zn-0.5Mn, Zn-1.0Mn, and Zn-1.5Mn (wt%) alloys were prepared via high-pressure solidification (HPS) and cold rolling (CR) procedures. Further, the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and in-vitro cytotoxicity of these Zn-Mn alloys were systematically investigated. The results revealed that their yield strength (σys) and ultimate tensile strength (σUTS) enhanced significantly after synergy of HPS-CR treatment compared to CR alone. Notably, among these alloys, the Zn-1.5Mn alloy exhibited the highest σys and σUTS after HPS-CR, at 296.4±5.4 MPa and 322.6±3.5 MPa, respectively. The primary reason for this phenomenon is attributed to the combination of grain refinement and solid solution strengthening performance. Furthermore, these newly designed biodegradable Zn-Mn alloys exhibited appropriate in-vitro degradation rates and acceptable in vitro cytocompatibility when tested in Hanks' solution.