New Zn3Mg-xY Alloys: Characteristics, Microstructural Evolution and Corrosion Behavior

Zinc biodegradable alloys attracted an increased interest in the last few years in the medical field among Mg and Fe-based materials. Knowing that the Mg element has a strengthening influence on Zn alloys, we analyze the effect of the third element, namely, Y with expected results in mechanical properties improvement. Ternary ZnMgY samples were obtained through induction melting in Argon atmosphere from high purity (Zn, Mg, and Y) materials and MgY (70/30 wt%) master alloys with different percentages of Y and keeping the same percentage of Mg (3 wt%). The corrosion resistance and microhardness of ZnMgY alloys were compared with those of pure Zn and ZnMg binary alloy. Materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), linear and cyclic potentiometry, and immersion tests. All samples present generalized corrosion after immersion and electro-corrosion experiments in Dulbecco solution. The experimental results show an increase in microhardness and indentation Young Modulus following the addition of Y. The formation of YZn12 intermetallic phase elements with a more noble potential than pure Zinc is established. A correlation is obtained between the appearance of new Y phases and aggressive galvanic corrosion.