Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• High-pressure solid solution (HPSS) treatment at 5 GPa and 380 °C completely dissolves the ζ-MnZn13 phase, forming a supersaturated solid solution in Zn-0.5Mn alloy. • The HPSS-treated alloy achieves a compressive yield strength of ~183.7 MPa, about three times higher than the as-cast counterpart, via synergistic strengthening mechanisms. • HPSS treatment significantly improves degradation uniformity and reduces the corrosion rate, addressing localized corrosion issues in biodegradable Zn alloys. • This work provides a novel pressure-driven strategy to enhance Mn solubility, offering a promising route for developing high-performance biodegradable Zn-based implants.
Abstract
Zn-Mn alloys are regarded as promising biodegradable metals for orthopedic applications owing to their moderate degradation rates and favorable osteogenic properties. However, the presence of a substantial number of second-phase particles in Zn-based alloys might induce severe localized degradation via micro-coupling corrosion, thereby compromising the mechanical integrity of the alloy during in vivo tissue regeneration. In this study, high-pressure solid solution (HPSS) treatment was conducted at 5 GPa and 380 ℃ for 1 h to fabricate Zn-0.5Mn alloys. Microstructural characterization revealed that the HPSS treatment facilitated the formation of a supersaturated solid solution by completely dissolving the ζ-MnZn13 phase into the α-Zn matrix. The resultant strengthening mechanisms, including supersaturated solid solution strengthening, grain-size strengthening, and dislocation strengthening, collectively enhanced the compressive yield strength (σcys) of the Zn-0.5Mn alloy to about 183.7 MPa, approximately three times that of the as-cast (AC) Zn-0.5Mn alloy. Moreover, compared with the AC alloy, the HPSS Zn-0.5Mn alloy exhibited uniform degradation behavior with a markedly reduced degradation rate.
1. Introduction
Biodegradable metallic materials represent an emerging class of biomedical solutions designed to support tissue regeneration while progressively dissolving into bio-compatible byproducts [1, 2]. These materials undergo full metabolic absorption after healing, which eliminates the need for secondary surgical procedures and related difficulties, in contrast to permanent implants [3]. Because of their inherent capacity for bio-resorption, magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) alloys are most researched in the available possibilities [4 −6]. However, Mg-based alloys exhibit faster degradation together with undesired hydrogen gas evolution [7]. In contrast, Fe-based alloys degrade too slowly in vivo, preventing the natural healing process of human bone [8]. With hydrogen-free degradation routes, Zn-based alloys exhibit an acceptable moderate rate of degradation. Furthermore, Zn has remarkable bio-compatibility as a vital micro-nutrient implicated in immunological response and enzymatic catalysis [9]. Biodegradable Zn-based alloys show significant potential for application in the field of new degradable medical metals due to their moderate degradation rate and acceptable bio-compatibility [10, 11]. However, the clinical value of pure Zn is limited due to its poor mechanical properties (yield strength (σys) ~30 MPa, elongation <2%). Therefore, to achieve mechanical properties for bone implantation while maintaining acceptable degradation profiles, strategic alloy design and thermomechanical processing are essential.
Currently, alloying is an efficient method for increasing the strength of Zn alloys [12]. The insertion of second-phase particles through alloying can significantly improve the strength because they can effectively prevent dislocation slip and grain boundary motion [13]. Manganese (Mn) is a significant alloying element due to its excellent solid-solution capability in α-Zn [14]. It also plays critical biological functions in immune regulation. Zn-Mn binary systems with low Mn concentration (<1 wt.% ) exhibit remarkable plastic deformation properties. GUO et al [15] pioneered work that achieved exceptional room-temperature elongation (245%) in Zn-0.5Mn alloys using a multi-pass stretching method. However, nonuniform degradation patterns observed in physiological contexts provide significant challenges, including accelerated mechanical failure, elevated localized ionic concentrations, and inflammation.
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LU Gang, DAI Yi-long, LEI Xiao-li, GUO Lin, ZHANG De-chuang, LIN Jian-guo (2026). Pressure-driven Mn solubility enhancement in Zn alloy: Synergistic strengthening and reduced corrosion rate for biomedical application. Journal of Central South University. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11771-026-6161-1
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main objective of this study?
The study aims to enhance the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of Zn-0.5Mn alloys for biomedical applications by using high-pressure solid solution (HPSS) treatment to dissolve second-phase particles and form a supersaturated solid solution.
How does high-pressure solid solution treatment improve the alloy's performance?
HPSS treatment at 5 GPa and 380 °C completely dissolves the ζ-MnZn13 phase into the α-Zn matrix, leading to supersaturated solid solution strengthening, grain-size strengthening, and dislocation strengthening. This results in a compressive yield strength of ~183.7 MPa, about three times higher than the as-cast alloy, and also promotes uniform degradation with a reduced corrosion rate.
What are the potential applications of this Zn-Mn alloy?
The Zn-0.5Mn alloy with enhanced mechanical strength and uniform degradation is promising for biodegradable orthopedic implants, such as bone fixation devices, where it can support tissue regeneration while gradually dissolving without the need for removal surgery.
What are the key strengthening mechanisms in the HPSS-treated alloy?
The key strengthening mechanisms include supersaturated solid solution strengthening, grain-size strengthening (Hall-Petch effect), and dislocation strengthening, which collectively contribute to the significant increase in compressive yield strength.
How does the HPSS treatment affect the corrosion behavior of the alloy?
HPSS treatment eliminates the second-phase particles that cause micro-galvanic corrosion, leading to a more uniform degradation behavior and a markedly reduced degradation rate compared to the as-cast alloy, which is beneficial for maintaining mechanical integrity during in vivo tissue regeneration.
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