Fabrication and characterization of novel biodegradable Zn-Mn-Cu alloys

Zn-Mn-Cu alloys with micro-alloying of Mn and Cu in Zn are developed as potential biodegradable metals. Although the as-cast alloys are very brittle, their ductilities are significantly improved through hot rolling. Among the as-cast and the as-hot-rolled alloys, as-hot-rolled Zn-0.35Mn-0.41 Cu alloy has the best comprehensive property. It has yield strength of 198.4 ± 6.7 MPa, tensile strength of 292.4 ± 3.4 MPa, elongation of 29.6 ± 3.8% and corrosion rate of 0.050-0.062 mm a−1. A new ternary phase is characterized and determined to be MnCuZn18, which is embedded in MnZn13, resulting in a coarse cellular/dendritic MnZn13-MnCuZn18 compound structure in Zn-0.75 Mn-0.40Cu alloy. Such a coarse compound structure is detrimental for wrought alloy properties, which guides future design of Zn-Mn-Cu based alloys. The preliminary research indicates that Zn-Mn-Cu alloy system is a promising candidate for potential cardiovascular stent applications.