PT Journal
AU Necas, D
   Blazek, J
   Pokorny, J
   Boukalova, A
   Kubasek, J
TI Mechanical Alloying, an Innovative Way of Zinc Preparation for Biomaterial Preparation
SO Manufacturing Technology Journal
PY 2025
BP 662
EP 669
VL 25
IS 5
DI 10.21062/mft.2025.070
DE Biodegradable Metals; Zinc Alloys; Powder Metallurgy; Microstructure; Compressive Test
AB In this study, binary zinc-based alloys (Zn-1Mg, Zn-1Li, Zn-2Mn, wt.%) were synthesized by performing mechanical alloying (MA) of elemental powders, followed by consolidation using spark plasma sintering (SPS). The processing parameters were optimized to obtain homogeneous powders with controlled particle size. X-ray diffraction and SEM analyses confirmed the presence of secondary intermetallic phases (Mg2Zn11, Zn13Mn, ZnLi2 phases) formed during milling, which were preserved after SPS. Microstructural examination revealed a fine-grained microstructure with residual oxide networks originating from powder surfaces. Mechanical testing demonstrated significant strengthening effects after Mg and Li additions, with Zn-1Mg alloy reaching the highest hardness (128 HV1) and compressive strength (526.7 MPa), attributed to uniformly distributed Mg2Zn11 precipitates. However, this strengthening was accompanied by reduced ductility. Zn-1Li exhibited the most balanced combination of strength and plasticity, while Zn-2Mn provided only a limited improvement over pure zinc. These results confirm that mechanical alloying combined with SPS is a promising route for developing biodegradable Zn-based biomaterials with enhanced properties.
ER