Comparison of the biodegradation of ZK30 subjected to solid solution treating and selective laser melting

This work studied the biodegradation of ZK30 subjected to solid solution treating (SST) and selective laser melting (SLM). The microstructure of SSTed ZK30 was homogenous and consisted largely of the single α-Mg matrix. The microstructure of SLMed ZK30 consisted of fine α-Mg grains containing noncontinuous MgZn2 particles. The biodegradation rates of the SSTed ZK30 and the SLMed ZK30 were lower than that of the as-cast ZK30. The SST and the SLM decreased the biodegradation rate through the elimination of the second phase particles and the refinement of the grain size, respectively. Furthermore, the SLMed ZK30 had a lower corrosion rate.