Study on microstructure and properties of extruded Mg–2Nd–0.2Zn alloy as potential biodegradable implant material

•The extruded NZ20 alloy appeared fine-grained and globular.•A lot of fine granular particles were observable in the E1 sample.•Both E1 and E2 presented excellent plasticity.•Compared with E2, E1 exhibited a relatively lower corrosion rate.

Mg–2Nd–0.2Zn (NZ20) alloy was prepared for the application as biodegradable implant material in this study. The effects of the extrusion process on microstructure, mechanical and corrosion properties of the alloy were investigated. The as-cast alloy was composed of α-Mg matrix and Mg12Nd eutectic compound. The solution treatment could lead to the Mg12Nd phase dissolution and the grain coarsening. The alloy (E1) preheated at 380 °C for 1 h and extruded at 390 °C presents fine grains with amounts of tiny Mg12Nd particles uniformly dispersed throughout the boundaries and the interior of the grains. The alloy (E2) preheated at 480 °C for 1 h and extruded at 500 °C exhibits relatively larger grains with few nano-scale Mg12Nd phase particles dispersed. The alloy of E1, compared with E2, showed relatively lower corrosion rate, higher yield strength and slightly lower elongation.