Mechanical properties and biocorrosion resistance of Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy improved by cyclic extrusion and compression

Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy is a promising biodegradable magnesium alloy due to higher mechanical properties and better corrosion resistance than commercial AZ31 and WE43 alloys. However, the mechanical properties and the corrosion resistance of the alloy should be further improved to meet the requirement of clinical application. In this study, cyclic extrusion and compression (CEC) processing was adopted to refine grains of Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy. Mechanical properties and biocorrosion resistance of the alloy were evaluated. The results show that the yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation of the alloy under CEC processing has ~ 71%, ~ 28% and ~ 154% improvement, respectively. The biocorrosion resistance of the alloy under CEC processing was also improved apparently.

► Cyclic extrusion and compression (CEC) was adopted to refine the Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy.
► Mechanical properties of the Mg-ND-Zn-Zr alloy were significantly improved by CEC.
► Biocorrosion resistance of the Mg-Nd-Zn-Zr alloy was also improved by CEC.