Processing and properties of a new biodegradable Mg−Zn−Ca−Zr alloy

Magnesium alloys are used for degradable orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants due to their favourable mechanical and biological properties, degradation ability in physiological environment and stimulatory effect on the new bone formation. The research challenges are related to the increase of biological and mechanical compatibility. For the present study, a magnesium based alloy design was conducted to the following chemical composition: Mg?2.7Zn?1Ca?0.6Zr (wt.%). A complex thermomechanical processing route was applied: a plastic deformation by extrusion at various temperatures and deformation degrees (400 °C–480 °C, ? = 20 %–40 %), followed by various final heat treatments at 200 °C–400 °C for 10 min–60 min. Further, the influence of processing parameters upon the structure, mechanical properties and biological response was studied. Processed specimens were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (secondary electron imaging and energy dispersive spectroscopy) and mechanically by tensile tests. The most representative results were obtained for the samples extruded at 450 °C/? = 20 %, followed by a final heat treatment at 350 °C/15 min, air cooling. Further, for samples which revealed promising results, in‐vitro testing was developed. Biocompatibility testing of the Mg?2.7Zn?1Ca?0.6Zr (wt.%) alloy was realized by indirect contact studies using the Vero (ATCC® CCL‐81?, American Type Culture Collection) cell line. Cells morphologies, cell viability and proliferation were evaluated.     

Hot deformation behavior and processing map of a Fe‐25Ni‐16Cr‐3Al alumina‐forming austenitic steel

The hot deformation behavior of a Fe‐25Ni‐16Cr‐3Al alumina‐forming austenitic steel was studied by hot compression using a Gleeble‐3500 thermal simulator. The compression tests were carried out in the temperatures range from 925 °C to 1175 °C and strain rates range from 0.01 s^‐1 to 10 s^‐1. It was concluded that the flow stress increased with decreasing deformation temperature and increasing strain rate. The constitutive equation was obtained and the activation energy was 420.98 kJ?mol^‐1 according to the testing data. According to the achieved processing map, the optimal processing domain is determined in the temperatures range of 1050 °C – 1075 °C and strain rates range of 0.03 s^‐1 ‐ 0.3 s^‐1. The evolution of microstructure characterization is consistent with the rules predicted by the processing map. During compression at the same temperature, the higher the strain rate is, the higher the hardness will be. The ultimate tensile strength of the steel is 779 MPa with a total elongation of 27.1 % at room temperature.