Effect of Y Content on Properties of Extruded Zn-1.5Mg-xY Alloys for Medical Applications

In this work, we investigated the effect of yttrium(Y) on microstructure, the mechanical and corrosion properties and the cytotoxicity of Zn-1.5Mg-xY(x=0, 0.2, 0.5wt%) alloys prepared by casting and extrusion. The results showed that the microstructure of extruded Zn-1.5Mg-xY alloys consisted of α-Zn matrix, Mg2Zn11 particles and Y containing blocks. The tensile strength and compressive strength of Zn-1.5Mg-xY alloys improve with the increase of Y content. Alloying with Y also had an impact on the corrosion resistance of Zn-Mg alloys. In terms of toxicity, the cells cultured in the leachate of Zn-1.5Mg-xY alloys with concentrations of 25% and 50% showed good growth morphology with the relative proliferation rate (RGR) values being greater than 100% and the cytotoxicity level being 0, the addition of Y has little effect on the compatibility of alloy with cells.