Second phase refining induced optimization of Fe alloying in Zn: Significantly enhanced strengthening effect and corrosion uniformity

Abstract

Many non-toxic alloying elements, such as Fe, Ca, and Sr, have negligible solid solubilities in Zn matrix, leading to formation of coarse second phase particles. They exhibit low strengthening effects but highly detrimental to ductility. So refining second phase is a common pursuit for Zn alloys. The present paper takes Zn−0.3Fe alloy suffered from coarse FeZn₁₃ second phase particles as a touchstone to testify microstructure refining effect through solidification with an accelerated speed and multi-pass rolling. FeZn₁₃ particles are refined from 24 to 2 µm, and Zn grains are refined to 5 µm. As a result, the strengthening effect of Fe is enhanced significantly, with yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength of the alloy increased from 132 to 218 MPa and from 159 to 264 MPa, respectively. Furthermore, corrosion non-uniformity and penetration are much alleviated. These results show that microstructure refinement, especially on coarse intermetallic second phases, has a great potential to improve mechanical and degradation properties of biodegradable Zn alloys.

Keywords

zinc alloys / microstructure / mechanical properties / corrosion uniformity

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