The effect of pre-processing and grain structure on the bio-corrosion and fatigue resistance of magnesium alloy AZ31

Magnesium alloys are broadly used for structural applications in the aerospace and automotive industries as well as in consumer electronics. While a high specific strength is the forte of magnesium alloys, one serious limitation for Mg alloys is their corrosion performance. Unlike aluminium, it does not form a stable passive film to provide long-term protection from further corrosion. The poor corrosion resistance of magnesium and magnesium alloys is regarded as a major drawback, and significant effort has been focused on improving this.[1-3] However, the high reactivity of magnesium alloys in corrosive media can be used to advantage in biomedical applications, particularly in temporary implants where the capacity of a material for bio-degradation is one of the most sought after properties. Indeed, permanent implant materials, such as stainless steel, titanium alloys or Nitinol (55Ni-45Ti), are the only choices currently available for hard tissue implantation. They can cause permanent physical irritation, long-term endothelial dysfunction and chronic inflammatory local reaction. Sometimes a second operation is needed for the implant to be removed. Given the ability of the human body to gradually recover and regenerate damaged tissue, the ideal solution would thus be a degradable implant, which would offer a physiologically less invasive repair and temporary support during tissue recovery. After fulfilling its function, this implant would be obliterated, being absorbed by the body. This philosophy of implant surgery would also be of particular interest for endovascular stent

Microstructure, texture and tensile properties of ultrafine/nano grained magnesium alloy processed by accumulative back extrusion

An AZ31 wrought magnesium alloy was processed by employing multipass accumulative back extrusion process. The obtained microstructure, texture and room temperature tensile properties were characterized and discussed. Ultrafine grained microstructure including nano grains were developed, where the obtained mean grain size was decreased from 8 to 0.5 µm by applying consecutive passes. The frequency of both low angle and high angle boundaries increased after processing. Strength of the experimental alloy was decreased after processing, which was attributed to the obtained texture involving the major component lying inclined to the deformation axis. Both the uniform and post uniform elongations of the processed materials were increased after processing, where a total elongation of 68 pct was obtained after six-pass deformation. The contribution of different twinning and slip mechanism was described by calculating corresponding Schmid factors. The operation of prismatic slip was considered as the major deformation contributor. The significant increase in post uniform deformation of the processed material was discussed relying on the occurrence of grain boundary sliding associated with the operation of prismatic slip.Postprint (author's final draft

Bio-corrosion of a magnesium alloy with different processing histories

High rates of degradation in corrosive media represent the Achilles heel of Mg alloys, which hinders their applications in various areas, particularly in prosthetics. We present an investigation of the degradation behaviour of magnesium alloy AZ31 in Hank's solution that simulates bodily fluids. The degradation rate is shown to be significantly reduced by grain refinement produced by mechanical processing. In particular, hot rolling does lead to a desirable retardation of degradation, while subsequent equal channel angular pressing does not result in any further reduction of degradation rate

MICROSTRUCTURE, TEXTURE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MAGNESIUM ALLOY AZ31 PROCESSED BY ECAP

To investigate the influence of equal channel angular pressing on the microstructure and texture of the magnesium alloy AZ31, electron backscattering diffraction and well as neutron diffraction experiments were carried out. Through these experiments it was possible to trace the microstructure and texture evolution with strain accumulated with the increasing number of equal channel angular pressing passes. It was further demonstrated by subsequent compression tests that the microstructural changes produced by equal channel angular pressing have a beneficial effect on both the compressive strength and ductility of AD31.X113634sciescopu

The Effects of Competition: Cartel Policy and the Evolution of Strategy and Structure in British Industry, by Symeonidis, G. Cambridge and London: MIT Press, 2002, x+542 pp., $55.00; £37.95 (cloth)

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