Processing characterization of binary Mg-Zn alloys fabricated by a new powder consolidation combined severe plastic deformation method

Abstract

Abstract In this paper, a new powder consolidation combined severe plastic deformation method including integrated cyclic extrusion compression (CEC), equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) and conventional extrusion was presented for processing of binary Mg-Zn alloys for biomedical applications. This research shall strive to analyze the microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of binary magnesium-zinc alloys with 3, 7 and then 15 wt%Zn. Upon mixing Mg and Zn powders with a variety of Zn contents, the proposed combined method was used to consolidate the mixture of powders. All alloys were thoroughly examined and demonstrated areas of partial recrystallization and high deformation. The results indicate that adding zinc to magnesium improves the mechanical properties, but these properties are deteriorated with the zinc content of over 3 wt%. The corrosion behavior of the alloy in a bio-environment was examined by immersion test, mass loss and polarization tests in Hank’s solution. The results indicate that Mg-3Zn exhibits the best corrosion resistance and the corrosion rate increases when the Zn content is more than 3 wt%. Furthermore, the samples produced through the proposed method in this work indicates better corrosion resistance in comparison with the cast and extruded pure Mg.