High strength Mg–Zn–Ca alloys prepared by atomization and hot pressing process

• Partially glassy Mg73Zn22Ca5 alloy powders have been prepared by gas.
• The hot pressed bulk alloys exhibit compressive fracture strength of 857 MPa.
• The microstructural evolution and strengthening mechanism are investigated.

Mg73Zn22Ca5 alloys with the ultimate compressive fracture strength and yield stress up to 857 MPa and 696 MPa, respectively, and plastic strain above 4% have been prepared by hot pressing process of atomized partially glassy powders. These improved comprehensive mechanical properties for Mg–Zn–Ca alloys were obtained by proper controlling the hot pressing technologies to form a perfect interface bonding among the powders, and to make the nanoscale needle- or rod-like Ca2Mg5Zn13 phase precipitated from the magnesium matrix.