Biodegradation mechanisms of selective laser-melted Mg–xAl–Zn alloy: grain size and intermetallic phase

Grain size and intermetallic phase were two key factors affecting the biodegradation behaviour of Mg alloys. In the paper, different grain size and intermetallic phase volume fraction were obtained by introducing Al into Mg–Zn alloy via selective laser melting. Results showed that the grain size ref...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Cijun Shuai, Chongxian He, Pei Feng, Wang Guo, Chengde Gao, Ping Wu, Youwen Yang, Shizhen Bin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2018-04-01
Series:Virtual and Physical Prototyping
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17452759.2017.1408918
Description
Summary:Grain size and intermetallic phase were two key factors affecting the biodegradation behaviour of Mg alloys. In the paper, different grain size and intermetallic phase volume fraction were obtained by introducing Al into Mg–Zn alloy via selective laser melting. Results showed that the grain size refined while the intermetallic phase volume fraction increased with Al increasing. As Al was less than 3 wt.%, the grain refinement was the major factor affecting the degradation behaviour. The finer grain would create many grain boundaries, making the alloy passivate readily and resulted in a reduced degradation rate. However, with Al further increasing, the intermetallic phase became the main factor influencing the degradation behaviour though grain size was further refined. The large intermetallic phase volume fraction caused severe galvanic corrosion, accelerating the degradation. This work may provide guidance for balancing grain size and intermetallic phase on degradation behaviour of Mg alloys.
ISSN:1745-2759
1745-2767