Investigating the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of extruded Mg-1Zn-xCaO (x=0, 0.5, 1.0 wt%) materials

The effect of nano-CaO content on the microstructure, mechanical properties, and in vitro degradation performance of extruded Mg-1Zn alloys was investigated to enhance the strength and corrosion resistance of biodegradable materials for medical implants. The results showed that the addition of CaO nanoparticles effectively refined the size of dynamic recrystallization grains in the extruded composites. During the extrusion process, Ca ₂Mg ₆Zn ₃ and Mg ₂Ca phases precipitated in the Mg-1Zn-0.5CaO and Mg-1Zn-1CaO composites, respectively. As the CaO content increased, the basal texture strength was elevated from 3.97 for the Mg-1Zn alloy to 12.05 for the Mg-1Zn-1CaO composite. Benefiting from the combined mechanisms of grain refinement, dislocation strengthening, and precipitation strengthening, the yield strength of the materials was fortified with an increase in CaO content. During the short immersion time, the matrix of the extruded Mg-1Zn-0.5CaO composite was preferentially corroded, resulting in the formation of a dense corrosion product layer that impeded the transport of ions in the electrolyte solution, thereby exhibiting the lowest annual corrosion rate. With an increase in the immersion time, galvanic corrosion destroyed the protective film, leading to a slightly higher corrosion rate in the extruded Mg-1Zn-0.5CaO composite compared to the Mg-1Zn alloy. The substantial nano-Mg ₂Ca phase particles were preferentially degraded, causing severe pitting corrosion in the extruded Mg-1Zn-1CaO composite, which exhibited the highest degradation rate. The extruded Mg-1Zn-0.5CaO composite exhibited superior overall properties; its yield strength, elongation, and annual corrosion rate after immersion (21 d) were 334.9 MPa, 8.9 %, and 1.06 mm/y, respectively.