Microstructure, mechanical properties and in vitro degradation behavior of novel Zn-Cu-Fe alloys

Zn and Zn-based alloys as biodegradable material have drawn more and more attention in recent years due to their good mechanical properties, lower degradation rate than Mg and acceptable biocompatibility. However, too low degradation rate is a challenge for future application of Zn-based alloys. In this study, Zn-3Cu-xFe (x=0, 0.5 and 1wt%) alloys were proposed as candidate biodegradable materials. The microstructure, mechanical and in vitro biodegradable properties were investigated systematically. The Zn-3Cu alloy was composed of Zn matrix and CuZn5 phase, while the FeZn13 phase was newly formed with the addition of Fe. Due to the micro-galvanic effect produced by FeZn13 as a cathodic phase to the Zn matrix, in vitro degradation rate in simulated body fluid solution (SBF) was greatly increased by about 52.1%, from 45.3±8.22 for Zn-3Cu alloy to 68.9±7.34μm/year for Zn-3Cu-1Fe alloy. Although the mechanical properties were decreased slightly due to the introduction of hard and brittle FeZn13 secondary phase to the Zn matrix, Zn-3Cu-0.5Fe alloy still exhibits good combined mechanical properties and the YS, UTS and elongation are 232MPa, 284MPa and 33%, respectively. Taken together, the mechanical properties and in vitro degradation behavior of the Zn-3Cu-xFe alloys are more suitable than Zn-3Cu alloy as candidate biodegradable materials. [Display omitted] •Zn-3Cu-xFe (x=0, 0.5 and 1wt%) alloys are proposed for the first time as candidate biodegradable materials.•The YS, UTS, and elongation of Zn-3Cu-0.5Fe alloy are 232MPa, 284MPa and 33%, respectively.•The in vitro degradation rate in SBF was successfully increased by about 52% by 1wt% Fe addition for Zn-3Cu.