Effect of extrusion on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of Mg-Zn-Mn-(0, 1.5)Sr alloys in Hank’s solution

Abstract The microstructure, corrosion behavior, and cytocompatibility of as-cast and extruded Mg-Zn-Mn-(0, 1.5)Sr alloys in Hank’s solution are investigated. Grain refinement and preferred texture are confirmed after extrusion, while increase in dislocation density and fragmentation of Mg17Sr2 phases are the distinct features of Sr-free and Sr-containing alloys, respectively. Corrosion rate of Sr-free alloy is significantly accelerated by extrusion, while alloyed Sr eliminates this deterioration process. Alloying of Sr decreases the corrosion rate and enhances the cytocompatibility of the extruded Mg-Zn-Mn alloy without affecting the corrosion penetration depth, demonstrating the superiority of Sr alloying for the extruded magnesium alloy as implant materials.