Effect of trace HA on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr alloy

Effect of the addition of trace HA particles into Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr on microstructure, mechanical properties, and bio-corrosion behavior was investigated in comparison with pure Mg. Microstructures of the Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr-xHA composites (x = 0, 0.1 and 0.3 wt%) were characterized by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results of tensile tests at room temperature show that yield strength (YS) of Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr/HA composites increases significantly, but the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation decrease with the addition of HA particles from 0 up to 0.3 wt%. Bio-corrosion behavior was investigated by immersion tests and electrochemical tests. Electrochemical tests show that corrosion potential (Ecorr) of Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr/HA composites significantly shifts toward nobler direction from −1724 to −1660 mVSCE and the corrosion current density decreases from 479.8 to 280.8 μA cm−2 with the addition of HA particles. Immersion tests show that average corrosion rate of Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr/HA composites decreases from 11.7 to 9.1 mm/year with the addition of HA particles from 0 wt% up to 0.3 wt%. Both microstructure and mechanical properties can be attributed to grain refinement and mechanical bonding of HA particles with second phases and α-Mg matrix. Bio-corrosion behavior can be attributed to grain refinement and the formation of a stable and dense CaHPO4 protective film due to the adsorption of Ca2+ on HA particles. Our analysis shows that the Mg-2Zn-0.5Sr/0.3HA with good strength and corrosion resistance can be a good material candidate for biomedical applications.