Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Increasing Zn content in Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloys refines recrystallized grains and improves corrosion resistance, with Mg–3Zn–0.5Y–0.5Zr showing the lowest degradation rate (4.1–6.0 mm·a−1). • The corrosion product layer consists of Mg(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, CaCO3, and hydroxyapatite, indicating favorable surface reactions for biomedical applications. • Electrochemical tests confirm enhanced corrosion resistance with maximum polarization resistance of 874.5 Ω·cm2 and lowest corrosion current density of 0.104 mA·cm−2 for ZW305K. • Alloys exhibit excellent biocompatibility with cell viability >80% after 48 h, supporting their potential as biodegradable implant materials.
Abstract
Although the degradability and biosafety of magnesium alloys make them advantageous for biological applications, medical implants made of magnesium alloys often fail prematurely due to corrosion. Therefore, improving the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys has become an urgent problem in the alloy design process. In this study, we designed and prepared Mg–xZn–0.5Y–0.5Zr (x = 1, 2, and 3, wt%) alloys in a hot extruded state and analyzed their surface structure through scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectrometry, and X-ray diffraction. It was found that increasing the Zn content refined the recrystallized grains in the alloy. Particularly in Mg–3Zn–0.5Y–0.5Zr, the I phase became finer, forming both granular and nanoscale needle-like particles. Surface characterization after the immersion experiment showed that the corrosion product layer was mainly composed of Mg(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, CaCO3, and hydroxyapatite. The degradation rate of ZW305K was the lowest, measured as 4.1 and 6.0 mm·a−1 with the hydrogen precipitation method and weight loss method respectively. Electrochemical experiments further explained the corrosion circuit model of the alloy in solution and confirmed the earlier results. The maximum polarization resistance of ZW305K was 874.5 Ω·cm2, and the lowest corrosion current density was 0.104 mA·cm−2. As a biomedical alloy, it must exhibit good biocompatibility, so the alloy was also tested through cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and staining experiments. The cell viability of each group after 48 h was greater than 80%, showing that the addition of zinc enhances the alloy’s biocompatibility. In summary, the prepared alloys have the potential to be used as biodegradable implant materials.
1. Introduction
Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys have the advantages of low densities, high specific strengths, paramagnetism, degradability, and biocompatibility, and they have broad application prospects as biomedical degradable materials [1–3]. However, Mg and its alloys are chemically very active, corroding easily and degrading rapidly in the physiological environment of the body, which hinders their further development in the medical field [4]. Therefore, improving the corrosion resistance of medical degradable Mg alloys is of great significance for their clinical applications.
Some researchers have found that surface modification, composition design, and structural optimization of magnesium alloys can reduce their biodegradation rate [5–8]. The corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys can be improved through several methods. The first method involves adding some alloying elements such as Zn and Zr at the beginning of the alloy design, which can easily improve the corrosion resistance of the alloy [9–12]. The second method is to reduce the equilibrium potential of magnesium matrix by plastic deformation. The third method involves adding a corrosion-resistant coating to the surface of the magnesium alloy [13–14]. By applying an organic or inorganic coating, a bone-implant interface is formed on the surface [15]. The fourth method is heat treatment, which reduces micro-galvanic corrosion in the alloy, increases the self-corrosion potential of the matrix, and improves the corrosion resistance of the alloy [16].
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Xinyi Zhou, Jun Cheng, Jun Xu, Yipei Mao, Yang Dong, Yixuan He, Meifeng He (2025). Effect of low Zn content on corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of biodegradable Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloys. Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-025-3092-z
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the effect of low Zn content on the corrosion resistance of Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys?
Low Zn content (1-3 wt%) in Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys improves corrosion resistance by refining grains and forming a protective corrosion product layer. The alloy with 3 wt% Zn (ZW305K) exhibited the lowest degradation rate and highest polarization resistance.
How does the addition of zinc affect the biocompatibility of these alloys?
Zinc addition enhances biocompatibility, as evidenced by cell viability greater than 80% after 48 hours in cytotoxicity tests. This indicates that the alloys are non-toxic and suitable for biomedical applications.
What are the main corrosion products formed on the alloy surface after immersion?
The corrosion product layer is mainly composed of Mg(OH)2, Zn(OH)2, CaCO3, and hydroxyapatite, which contribute to the alloy's corrosion resistance and biocompatibility.
What methods were used to evaluate the corrosion resistance of the alloys?
Corrosion resistance was evaluated using hydrogen precipitation, weight loss, and electrochemical experiments (polarization resistance and corrosion current density). These methods confirmed the improved performance of the alloys with higher Zn content.
What is the potential application of these Mg-Zn-Y-Zr alloys?
The prepared alloys have the potential to be used as biodegradable implant materials due to their good corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and mechanical properties.
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