HOT WORKING OF MAGNESIUM ALLOYS

Abstract

Magnesium and its alloys are prominent candidates for temporary implant applications in osteosynthesis, as magnesium is biodegradable, physiologically compatible and even stimulates bone growth. Degradable implants have the advantage that a second surgery for implant removal is not required. However, despite intense research going on in this field, there are so far no Mg-based degradable orthopaedic implants commercially available. In the present work, magnesium wrought alloys Mg-3Zn were subjected to Multi axial forging (MAF) operations to establish their material properties and study the mechanism behind the Multi-axial forging process. Temperature is one of the vital aspects reviewed in this investigation, as these alloys exhibit poor deformation at low temperature. The stress-strain relation, Vickers hardness and degradation in simulated body fluid were also studied. Microstructure analysis showing various stages of grain formation is also carried out by the use of Mg-3Zn samples. Microstructural effect on deformation behaviour and dynamic recrystallization are also studied.