Achieving high strength WE43 alloy with homogeneous corrosion and improved biological properties by high-pressure torsion

The corrosion resistance, tensile yield strength, elongation, and biocompatibility of the WE43 Mg alloy were significantly improved by high-pressure torsion (HPT) processing. The microstructure of WE43 changed through three distinct stages: deformation strengthening, dynamic recovery, and dynamic recrystallization during HPT. WE43 nanocrystals with an average grain size of (105±5) nm were successfully prepared after 7 or 10 revolutions of HPT processing. The HPT-7R WE43 samples showed the highest yield strength of (330.9±2.2) MPa, the highest tensile strength of (374.2±1.9) MPa, and an elongation of (13.2±1.1)%. The HPT-10R WE43 samples exhibited the lowest degradation rate of (0.401±0.031) mm/a; furthermore, it revealed cell viability greater than that of pure Mg and solution-treated WE43 toward MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblasts. Overall, the WE43 alloy after HPT processing for 7 or more revolutions demonstrates great potential as a highly desirable bone-implant material.