RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
A1 Nečas, David
A1 Blažek, Jan
A1 Pokorný, Jan
A1 Boukalová, Anna
A1 Kubásek, Jiří
T1 Mechanical Alloying, an Innovative Way of Zinc Preparation for Biomaterial Preparation
JF Manufacturing Technology Journal
YR 2025
VO 25
IS 5
SP 662
OP 669
DO 10.21062/mft.2025.070
UL https://journalmt.com/artkey/mft-202505-0010.php
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.