Development of microstructure, mechanical characteristics, wear and bio-performance of AM60 Mg alloy by modified cyclic extrusion channel angular pressing process

• The ultra-fine grained magnesium alloy processed by innovative severe plastic deformation (SPD) method is highly required for biomedical applications. • The as-cast AM60 magnesium alloy processed by modified cyclic extrusion channel angular pressing (CECAP) is a promising biomaterial for absorbable orthopaedical implants. • The sample processed by CECAP at lower temperature (225 °C) and lower velocity (5 mm/min) has the best mechanical properties like hardness, compression strength, and ductility. • The sample processed by CECAP at higher temperature (275 °C) and higher velocity (15 mm/min) has higher wear resistance with a narrower wear track, smoother surface and lesser prone to delamination and formation of wear debris particles. Recently, the use of magnesium (Mg) alloys formed by severe plastic deformation (SPD) has received special attention in biodegradable implants due to the distinctive properties that can be achieved, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability and mechanical characteristics. In this work, AM60 Mg alloy has processed by the modified cyclic extrusion channel angular pressing (CECAP) technique using different speed and temperature levels. The results confirmed the microstructural refinement from ∼ 114 μm for the as-cast sample to ∼ 38 μm for the sample processed by CECAP. The mechanical and wear properties of CECAPed samples were also improved significantly compared to as-cast sample.