Key Engineering Materials Vol. 1038

Abstract: This study investigates the influence of symmetric and asymmetric hot rolling on the microstructural evolution and mechanical performance of a homogenized Mg–1.5Zn–0.5Ca (ZC1) alloy. X-ray diffraction confirmed phase stability across all processing conditions, with α-Mg as the primary matrix and Mg₆Zn₃Ca₂ as the secondary phase. Scanning electron microscopy revealed progressive fragmentation and redistribution of intermetallic particles upon rolling, with asymmetric rolling introducing higher shear strain and promoting dynamic recrystallization. Mechanical testing showed that symmetric rolling delivered the most favorable strength–ductility combination (UTS: 230 MPa, Elongation: 37%), while asymmetric rolling exhibited the highest yield strength (121 MPa) and microhardness (59 HV). Despite the intensified strain effects in asymmetric rolling, symmetric rolling provided superior mechanical synergy due to more uniform grain refinement and stable phase distribution. The findings highlight symmetric rolling as a robust and scalable deformation route for enhancing mechanical performance in Mg-Zn-Ca alloy systems.

Abstract: The use of animals in medical education continues to be the subject of ethical debate and is increasingly being questioned. This view is reflected, among other details, in the “Directive 2010/63/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council”, which stipulates the minimisation of animal testing on the basis of the so-called 3R principles (replacement, reduction, refinement) .

Abstract: Phosphate invert glasses are mainly composed of ortho-and pyro-phosphate units and can stimulate cellular functions by releasing inorganic ions. Our group has succeeded in the synthesis of titanium-containing phosphate invert glasses with the liquid phase method at room temperature. ZnO is classified as an intermediate oxide in the glass network structure and improves the chemical durability of phosphate invert glasses. In addition, zinc ion exhibit a wide range of antibacterial ability. However, excess amounts of zinc ions can be toxic to cells. Hence, the dissolution behavior of zinc ions must be controlled for biomedical applications. In this work, ZnO-containing phosphate invert glasses (PIG-Zn) were prepared using the liquid phase method. The phosphate groups of PIG-Zn were composed of ortho-and pyro-phosphate groups, and the peaks were blue-shifted with increasing the ZnO content due to the field strength of Zn²⁺ being larger than that of Ca²⁺. Thus, phosphate groups may be cross-linked by Zn²⁺ to form P-O-Zn bonds. Meanwhile, ion-releasing amounts from PIG-Zn were decreased with increasing ZnO content. This is because the formation of P-O-Zn bonds can increase the chemical durability of PIG-Zn. In addition, PIG-Zn showed excellent antibacterial ability. Therefore, PIG-Zn is expected to exhibit antibacterial ability with controlled Zn²⁺ ion-releasing behavior for biomedical applications.