Microstructure Evolution during Mechanical Alloying of a Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy

The aim of the present work was to apply a mechanical alloying method to obtain a Mg-10Zn-0.5Zr-0.8Ca powder-alloy with morphological and dimensional characteristics, proper for subsequent selective laser melting (SLM) processing. The mechanical alloying process was applied at different values of the milling time. Thus, the evolution of the main morphological and dimensional characteristics of the experimented powder-alloy could be studied. The conclusion of this study is that mechanical alloying possesses good potential to obtain powder-alloy with almost rounded morphology and fine dimensions, proper for further additive manufacturing procedures such as selective laser melting.