In the quest to develop biodegradable implants, researchers have been exploring the potential of pure zinc (Zn) due to its biocompatibility. However, its mechanical strength has been a limiting factor. A recent study published in *Materials Research Express* (which translates to “Materials Research Express” in English) sheds light on how high-strain cold rolling can significantly enhance the microstructure and mechanical properties of pure zinc, opening new avenues for its application in the biomedical field.
Led by Jin Cui from the Luzhou Key Laboratory of Intelligent Control and Applications Technology of Electronic Devices at Luzhou Vocational and Technical College in Sichuan Province, China, the research team delved into the microstructural and textural evolution of pure zinc induced by high-strain cold rolling. The process involved reducing the material’s thickness by up to 98%, a technique that has profound implications for its mechanical properties.
The study revealed that cold rolling significantly refines the grain structure through a process known as discontinuous dynamic recrystallization (DDRX). “We observed a notable grain refinement, which is crucial for enhancing the material’s strength,” explained Cui. However, at the highest reduction of 98%, there was a slight increase in grain size to 50 micrometers, attributed to adiabatic heating—a phenomenon where the material heats up due to the intense deformation.
The texture of the material, which refers to the orientation of its grains, also underwent significant changes. Initially, the texture evolved from a basal orientation to a more randomly oriented state and then reverted to a basal texture. This transition is closely linked to the formation of tensile twins and DDRX, where the new texture arises from the selective growth of certain grains.
One of the most intriguing findings was the behavior of microhardness, a measure of the material’s resistance to deformation. The researchers noted a minor decrease in microhardness at 96% reduction due to the weakening of a specific texture component, followed by a significant reduction at 98% reduction. “This softening effect is attributed to the dynamic recrystallization process, which can sometimes reduce the material’s hardness despite refining its grain structure,” Cui elaborated.
The study also highlighted the activation of a specific slip system, {10–10}〈1–210〉 prismatic slip, at elevated strains due to adiabatic heating. This slip system may interact synergistically with other slip systems and twinning to facilitate dynamic recrystallization, further enhancing the material’s properties.
The implications of this research are far-reaching. By understanding and controlling the microstructural and textural evolution of pure zinc through cold rolling, researchers can tailor its mechanical properties to suit specific biomedical applications. This could lead to the development of stronger, more reliable biodegradable implants that can degrade safely within the body without causing adverse reactions.
Moreover, the insights gained from this study could also have broader applications in the energy sector. For instance, the enhanced mechanical properties of pure zinc could make it a more viable material for use in batteries and other energy storage devices, where strength and durability are crucial.
As the demand for sustainable and biocompatible materials continues to grow, research like this paves the way for innovative solutions that can meet these needs. “Our findings provide a solid foundation for further exploration and optimization of pure zinc for various applications,” Cui concluded.
Published in *Materials Research Express*, this study not only advances our understanding of pure zinc’s behavior under high-strain cold rolling but also offers a glimpse into the future of biodegradable and energy-efficient materials.