Improving microstructural homogeneity and reducing grain size of Zn-3Mg alloy through ECAP

• Main Authors: Dambatta, M. S., Izman, S., Auwal, S. T., Kurniawan, D., Ramesh, S., Abdullahi, U., Mas Ayu, H., Shah, A., Gidado, A. Y., Ibrahim, Auwal, Ibrahim, Musa Alhaji
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Published: 2023
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/107905/; http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/5.0110481

Recently, Zn and its alloys have been investigated due to its lower degradation rate than that of Mg-based alloys. However, it as-cast grainsize and microstructure homogeneity still required further enhancement. This research works aims to improve these properties on eutectic Zn-3Mg alloy via equal channels angular pressing (ECAP). Cast Zn-3Mg sample was heat treated at 370oC for 15hrs and quenched in water before ECAP processing at temperature of 200oC. Results revealed that, heat treatment followed by ECAP was effective in reducing the grain size of the as-cast alloy to 2 µm from 48 µm after 2-passes. This two-step processing remarkably increases the sample microstructure homogeneity. The study revealed that heat treatment followed by 2-ECAP passes was beneficial in enhancing the mechanical properties and degradation behaviour of Zn3Mg alloy as potential use for biodegradable implants material.