Nano-heterostructured Fe-Mn-Se alloys with high strength-plasticity synergy, rapid degradability, low magnetism, and antitumor activity for orthopedic applications

• Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy exhibits extraordinary comprehensive mechanical properties due to its alternating nano-layered heterostructure of γ/ε/γ. • Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy has effective antibacterial effect on S. aureus . • Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy has effectively inhibited the growth of MG63 tumor cells. • Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy has satisfactory biocompatibility toward normal MC3T3 cells. • Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy showed complete biosafety and exceptional osteogenic properties. Biodegradable Fe-based alloys face significant challenges, including the strength-plasticity trade-off and limited biofunctionality, which severely restrict their clinical orthopedic application in orthopedics. Here, we report on a nano-heterostructural Fe-15Mn-0.6Se (wt.%) alloy with low magnetism, ultrahigh strength-elongation product, and potent antibacterial and antitumor capabilities. Due to its alternating nano-layered heterostructure of γ/ε/γ (γ-austenite, ε-martensite), the Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy exhibited extraordinary comprehensive mechanical properties with a yield strength of 1463 ± 5 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1511 ± 4 MPa, and a fracture strain of 29% ± 3%. Moreover, this alloy showed superb antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, in vitro osteogenic bioactivity, and biocompatibility toward MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells, and also effective antitumor activity against MG63 osteosarcoma cells. In the rat jaw defect model, this alloy showed complete biosafety and exceptional osteogenic properties. Overall, the Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy is a promising biodegradable bone implant material due to its unique mechanical and biofunctional properties.