Development of Sn-added in situ autoreactivity Zr–Si biomedical alloys

Abstract In this study, the impact of the amount of Sn on microstructure, mechanical properties and wear resistance of Zr–8.8Si–xSn (x = 0, 5, 10, 20 at.%) alloys was investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, compression experiments and friction and wear experiments. It is found that the added Sn reacts with Zr to form Zr4Sn and Zr5Sn3 mesophases to improve the properties of the alloys. The formation of Zr4Sn in the alloys not only greatly increases the strength of the alloys, but also affects the distribution of the Zr–Si strengthening phase and can be used to coordinate the plasticity of the alloys. When the content of Sn reaches 20 at.%, Zr5Sn3 begins to appear and Zr2Si disappears. The wear resistance of the alloys becomes worse due to the formation of Zr4Sn and the aggregation of Zr2Si. In this paper, the second phase strengthening by Zr2Si, the solid solution strengthening after the addition of Sn and the second phase strengthening by Zr4Sn are used to govern the mechanical properties and wear resistance of the alloys. It is promising biomedical alloys with higher strength and wear resistance.