AccScience Publishing / IJB / Online First / DOI: 10.36922/ijb.3034
Submit to IJB
Cite this article
30
Download
202
Views
Journal Browser
Volume | Year
Issue
Search
Forthcoming Issue
Current Issue
View All
News and Announcements
View All
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Microstructure evolution and ductility improvement of additively manufactured biodegradable zinc–magnesium alloys via annealing

Changjun Han1 ,  Jinmiao Huang1 ,  Xiangling Ye2 ,  Boxun Liu3* ,  Zhi Dong1 ,  Yongqiang Yang1 ,  Junqing Gao4,5 ,  Kuangyang Yang4,5* ,  Guocai Chen4,5*
Show Less
1 School of Mechanical and Automotive Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
2 Dongguan Hospital, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Dongguan, Guangdong, China
3 Huamei Biotech Co. Ltd., Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
4 Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Foshan, Guangdong, China
5 The Eighth Clinical Medical College, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Foshan, Guangdong, China
IJB, 3034 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.3034
Submitted: 27 February 2024 | Accepted: 26 March 2024 | Published: 8 May 2024
© 2024 by the Author(s). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ )
Download PDF
Cite
XML
Abstract

Zinc–magnesium (Zn–Mg) alloys, fabricated by laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) additive manufacturing techniques, have emerged as promising candidates for biomedical implants due to their biodegradation capability, superior mechanical strength, and excellent biocompatibility. However, LPBF-fabricated Zn–Mg alloys still face challenges related to extremely low ductility and limited exploration of degradation characteristics. In this study, the impact of Mg incorporation on the printability, degradation properties, microstructure, and mechanical properties of LPBF-fabricated Zn–Mg alloys was primarily investigated. Furthermore, we proposed a viable annealing post-processing route for the first time to tailor the microstructural characteristics of the fabricated Zn–Mg alloy and enhanced its limited ductility. The results demonstrated that by applying a laser power of 80 W and a scanning speed of 600 mm/s, the relative density of LPBF-fabricated Zn–Mg alloy reached 98.62%. Increasing the Mg amount from 1 to 5 wt% refined the grain size while promoting an increase in Mg2Zn11 and MgZn2 phases. Among these compositions, the Zn–1Mg alloy exhibited the greatest degradation rate at 0.126 mm/year. The annealing treatment facilitated the microstructure evolution of the Zn–1Mg alloy, resulting in equiaxed grains, increased average grain size, high-angle grain boundaries, and enrichment of Mg at grain boundaries. After annealing at 300°C for 0.5 h, the tensile strength of Zn– 1Mg alloy decreased from 254.92 to 170.93 MPa, while the elongation significantly increased by a factor of 14.3 from 0.55% to 8.43%. These findings provide valuable insights into an effective post-processing approach for tailoring the microstructure and resultant mechanical properties of LPBF-fabricated Zn and its alloys.

Keywords
Zinc alloys
Zinc–magnesium
Laser powder bed fusion
Annealing
Additive manufacturing
Funding
This research was supported by the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2023ZYGXZR061), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (52305358), Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2021A1515110142, 2022A1515010304), Young Elite Scientists Sponsorship Program by CAST (2023QNRC001), and the Young Talent Support Project of Guangzhou (QT-2023-001).
References
  1. Zhao D, Yu K, Sun T, et al. Material–structure–function integrated additive manufacturing of degradable metallic bone implants for load‐bearing applications. Adv Funct Mater. 2023;33(16):2213128. doi: 10.1002/adfm.202213128
  2. Li H, Wang P, Lin G, Huang J. The role of rare earth elements in biodegradable metals: a review. Acta Biomater. 2021;129: 33-42. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2021.05.014
  3. Shuai C, Zhong S, Shuai Y, Yang W, Peng S, He C. Accelerated anode and cathode reaction due to direct electron uptake and consumption by manganese dioxide and titanium dioxide composite cathode in degradation of iron composite. J Colloid Interface Sci. 2023;632(Pt A):95-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2022.11.055
  4. Ling C, Li Q, Zhang Z, et al. Influence of heat treatment on microstructure, mechanical and corrosion behavior of WE43 alloy fabricated by laser-beam powder bed fusion. Int J Extreme Manuf. 2023;6(1):015001. doi: 10.1088/2631-7990/acfad5
  5. Yang Y, Ling C, Li Y, et al. Microstructure development and biodegradation behavior of additively manufactured Mg-Zn-Gd alloy with LPSO structure. J Mater Sci Technol. 2023;144:1-14. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2022.09.059
  6. Zhou Y, Wang J, Yang Y, et al. Laser additive manufacturing of zinc targeting for biomedical application. Int J Bioprint. 2022;8(1):501. doi: 10.18063/ijb.v8i1.501
  7. Kabir H, Munir K, Wen C, Li Y. Recent research and progress of biodegradable zinc alloys and composites for biomedical applications: biomechanical and biocorrosion perspectives. Bioact Mater. 2021;6(3):836-879. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.09.013
  8. Xiao C, Wang L, Ren Y, et al. Indirectly extruded biodegradable Zn-0.05 wt% Mg alloy with improved strength and ductility: in vitro and in vivo studies. J Mater Sci Technol. 2018;34(9):1618-1627. doi: 10.1016/j.jmst.2018.01.006
  9. Zhang Y, Yan Y, Xu X, et al. Investigation on the microstructure, mechanical properties, in vitro degradation behavior and biocompatibility of newly developed Zn-0.8% Li-(Mg, Ag) alloys for guided bone regeneration. Mater Sci Eng C. 2019;99:1021-1034. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2019.01.120
  10. Yang H, Jia B, Zhang Z, et al. Alloying design of biodegradable zinc as promising bone implants for load-bearing applications. Nat Commun. 2020;11(1):401. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-14153-7
  11. Su Y, Cockerill I, Wang Y, et al. Zinc-based biomaterials for regeneration and therapy. Trends Biotechnol. 2019;37(4): 428-441. doi: 10.1016/j.tibtech.2018.10.009
  12. Ran Z, Wang Y, Li J, et al. 3D-printed biodegradable magnesium alloy scaffolds with zoledronic acid-loaded ceramic composite coating promote osteoporotic bone defect repair. Int J Bioprint. 2023;9(5):769. doi: 10.18063/ijb.769
  13. Venezuela J, Dargusch MS. The influence of alloying and fabrication techniques on the mechanical properties, biodegradability and biocompatibility of zinc: a comprehensive review. Acta Biomater. 2019;87:1-40. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.01.035
  14. Kubásek J, Vojtěch D, Jablonská E, Pospíšilová I, Lipov J, Ruml T. Structure, mechanical characteristics and in vitro degradation, cytotoxicity, genotoxicity and mutagenicity of novel biodegradable Zn–Mg alloys. Mat Sci Eng C-Mater. 2016;58:24-35. doi: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.08.015
  15. Kubásek J, Vojtěch D, Pospíšilová I, Michalcová A, Maixner J. Microstructure and mechanical properties of the micrograined hypoeutectic Zn–Mg alloy. Int J Min Met Mater. 2016;23:1167-1176. doi: 10.1007/s12613-016-1336-7 
  16. Dong Z, Han C, Zhao Y, et al. Role of heterogenous microstructure and deformation behavior in achieving superior strength-ductility synergy in zinc fabricated via laser powder bed fusion. Int J Extreme Manuf. 2024;6(4):045003 do: 10.1088/2631-7990/ad3929 
  17. Shuai C, Li D, Yao X, Li X, Gao C. Additive manufacturing of promising heterostructure for biomedical applications. Int J Extreme Manuf. 2023;5:032012. doi: 10.1088/2631-7990/acded2
  18. Zhao D, Han C, Peng B, et al. Corrosion fatigue behavior and anti-fatigue mechanisms of an additively manufactured biodegradable zinc-magnesium gyroid scaffold. Acta Biomater. 2022;153:614-629. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.09.047
  19. Zhou K, Han C. Metal Powder-Based Additive Manufacturing. John Wiley & Sons; 2023. doi: 10.1002/9783527822249.ch1
  20. Bandyopadhyay A, Ciliveri S, Guariento S, Zuckschwerdt N, Hogg WW. Fatigue behavior of additively manufactured Ti3Al2V alloy. Mater Sci Addit Manuf. 2023;2(3): 1705. doi: 10.36922/msam.1705
  21. Qin Y, Wen P, Guo H, et al. Additive manufacturing of biodegradable metals: current research status and future perspectives. Acta Biomater. 2019;98:3-22. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2019.04.046
  22. Gao C, Li C, Peng S, Shuai C. Spiral-eutectic-reinforced biodegradable Zn–Mg–Ag alloy prepared via selective laser melting. Chin J Mech Eng Addit Manuf Fron. 2022;1(2):100022. doi: 10.1016/j.cjmeam.2022.100022
  23. Wang C, Hu Y, Zhong C, Lan C, Li W, Wang X. Microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of pure Zn fabricated by selective laser melting. Mat Sci Eng: A. 2022;846:143276. doi: 10.1016/j.msea.2022.143276
  24. Liu J, Wen P. Metal vaporization and its influence during laser powder bed fusion process. Mater Des. 2022;215: 110505. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2022.110505
  25. Ning J, Ma Z, Zhang L, Wang D, Na S. Effects of magnesium on microstructure, properties and degradation behaviors of zinc-based alloys prepared by selective laser melting. Mater Res Express. 2022;9(8):086511. doi: 10.1088/2053-1591/ac88b7
  26. Yang Y, Yuan F, Gao C, et al. A combined strategy to enhance the properties of Zn by laser rapid solidification and laser alloying. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2018;82:51-60. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.03.018
  27. Qin Y, Liu A, Guo H, et al. Additive manufacturing of Zn- Mg alloy porous scaffolds with enhanced osseointegration: in vitro and in vivo studies. Acta Biomater. 2022;145: 403-415. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2022.03.055
  28. Bai J, Xu Y, Fan Q, et al. Mechanical properties and degradation behaviors of Zn-xMg alloy fine wires for biomedical applications. Scanning. 2021;2021:4831387. doi: 10.1155/2021/4831387
  29. Dambatta MS, Izman S, Kurniawan D, Farahany S, Yahaya B, Hermawan H. Influence of thermal treatment on microstructure, mechanical and degradation properties of Zn–3Mg alloy as potential biodegradable implant material. Mater Des. 2015;85:431-437. doi: 10.1016/j.matdes.2015.06.181
  30. Chua C, Sing SL, Chua CK. Characterisation of in-situ alloyed titanium-tantalum lattice structures by laser powder bed fusion using finite element analysis. Virtual Phys Prototyp. 2023;18(1):e2138463. doi: 10.1080/17452759.2022.2138463
  31. Yao C, Wang Z, Tay SL, Zhu T, Gao W. Effects of Mg on microstructure and corrosion properties of Zn–Mg alloy. J Alloys Compd. 2014;602:101-107. doi: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2014.03.025
  32. Dambatta MS, Izman S, Hermawan H, Kurniawan D. Influence of heat treatment cooling mediums on the degradation property of biodegradable Zn-3Mg alloy. Adv Mat Res. 2014;845:7-11. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.845.7
  33. Dambatta MS, Izman S, Hermawan H, Kurniawan D. Effect of heat treatment on microstructure homogeneity of Zn-3Mg alloy. Appl Mech Mater. 2014;493: 777-782. doi: 10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMM.493.777 
  34. Cui L, Zhang Z, Chen X. Microstructure and mechanical properties of novel Al–Cu–Mg–Zn lightweight entropy alloys for elevated-temperature applications. Mater Charact. 2023;200:112927. doi: 10.1016/j.matchar.2023.112927
  35. Yang Y, Lu C, Shen L, Zhao Z, Peng S, Shuai C. In-situ deposition of apatite layer to protect Mg-based composite fabricated via laser additive manufacturing. J Magnes Alloy. 2023;11(2):629-640. doi: 10.1016/j.jma.2021.04.009
  36. Parsons EM, Shaik SZ. Additive manufacturing of aluminum metal matrix composites: mechanical alloying of composite powders and single track consolidation with laser powder bed fusion. Addit Manuf. 2022;50:102450. doi: 10.1016/j.addma.2021.102450
  37. Bouabbou A, Vaudreuil S. Understanding laser-metal interaction in selective laser melting additive manufacturing through numerical modelling and simulation: a review. Virtual Phys Prototyp. 2022;17(3):543-562. doi: 10.1080/17452759.2022.2052488
  38. Zheng YF, Gu XN, Witte F. Biodegradable metals. Mat Sci Eng R. 2014;77:1-34. doi: 10.1016/j.mser.2014.01.001
  39. Ye L, Huang H, Sun C, et al. Effect of grain size and volume fraction of eutectic structure on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of as-cast Zn–Mg binary alloys. J Mater Res Technol. 2022;16:1673-1685. doi: 10.1016/j.jmrt.2021.12.101
  40. Gao C, Li S, Liu L, et al. Dual alloying improves the corrosion resistance of biodegradable Mg alloys prepared by selective laser melting. J Magnes Alloy. 2021;9(1):305-316. doi: 10.1016/j.jma.2020.03.016
  41. Hosking NC, Ström MA, Shipway PH, Rudd CD. Corrosion resistance of zinc–magnesium coated steel. Corros Sci. 2007;49(9):3669-3695. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2007.03.032
  42. Prosek T, Thierry D, Taxén C, Maixner J. Effect of cations on corrosion of zinc and carbon steel covered with chloride deposits under atmospheric conditions. Corros Sci. 2007;49(6):2676-2693. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2006.11.004
  43. Hausbrand R, Stratmann M, Rohwerder M. Corrosion of zinc–magnesium coatings: mechanism of paint delamination. Corros Sci. 2009;51(9):2107-2114. doi: 10.1016/j.corsci.2009.05.042
  44. Falk T, Svensson JE, Johansson LG. The influence of CO2 and NaCl on the atmospheric corrosion of zinc: a laboratory study. J Electrochem Soc. 1998;145(9):2993. doi: 10.1149/1.1838753
  45. Ralston KD, Birbilis N, Davies C. Revealing the relationship between grain size and corrosion rate of metals. Scr Mater. 2010;63(12):1201-1204. doi: 10.1016/j.scriptamat.2010.08.035
  46. Pachla W, Przybysz S, Jarzębska A, et al. Structural and mechanical aspects of hypoeutectic Zn–Mg binary alloys for biodegradable vascular stent applications. Bioact Mater. 2021;6(1):26-44. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2020.07.004
  47. Li HF, Xie XH, Zheng YF, et al. Development of biodegradable Zn-1X binary alloys with nutrient alloying elements Mg, Ca and Sr. Sci Rep. 2015;5(1):10719. doi: 10.1038/srep10719
  48. García-Mintegui C, Córdoba LC, Buxadera-Palomero J, et al. Zn-Mg and Zn-Cu alloys for stenting applications: from nanoscale mechanical characterization to in vitro degradation and biocompatibility. Bioact Mater. 2021;6(12):4430-4446. doi: 10.1016/j.bioactmat.2021.04.015
Conflict of interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Share
Back to top
International Journal of Bioprinting, Electronic ISSN: 2424-8002 Print ISSN: 2424-7723, Published by AccScience Publishing
We use cookies on our website to ensure you get the best experience.
Read more about our cookies here
Accept