Enhanced mechanical performance and tailored degradation characteristics of rolled Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mn alloy

• A non-toxic Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mn alloy is designed and prepared. The synergistic enhancement of strength and plasticity of Zn-0.4Mn-0.8Li alloy is achieved through hot rolling, with an ultimate tensile strength of 449.1 MPa and an elongation rate exceeding 75%. • A correlation between alloy deformation and the corrosion mechanism of Zn-0.4Mn-0.8Li alloys is revealed. The application of biodegradable Zn-based vascular alloy stents proves to be an ideal solution for addressing cardiovascular diseases. In this work, a Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mn alloy is designed with no biological toxicity, and optimized microstructure and properties through a hot rolling process. The resulting alloy shows a combined enhancement in both mechanical strength and resistance to corrosion. Noteworthy is the effectiveness of rolling deformation in refining alloy grains, promoting the uniform distribution of precipitates, and enhancing strength and ductility. After 90 % deformation, the Zn-0.8Li-0.4Mn alloy demonstrates excellent mechanical properties, with peak yield strength and ultimate tensile strength of 406.0 MPa and 449.1 MPa, respectively, and elongation exceeding 75 %. Corrosion studies indicate a relationship between the degradation rate increase and grain refinement, with the primary corrosion mechanism being pitting corrosion. The corrosion product Li 2 CO 3 exhibits high stability, providing a passivation effect on the alloy surface. This work establishes a theoretical foundation and practical reference for the development of new biodegradable Zn-based alloys tailored for biomedical applications.