Chen, Hou-JenHou-JenChenGautam, Prakash ChandraPrakash ChandraGautamLin, Pi-ChenPi-ChenLinWang, Chih-KaiChih-KaiWangHSIN-CHIH LIN2026-03-242026-03-242026-03-0509258388https://www.scopus.com/record/display.uri?eid=2-s2.0-105029909037&origin=resultslisthttps://scholars.lib.ntu.edu.tw/handle/123456789/736632Magnesium (Mg) alloys are promising biodegradable orthopedic implants due to their bone-like mechanical properties and biocompatibility, but rapid degradation remains a major obstacle. In this study, friction stir processing (FSP) with different traverse speeds was applied to a ZE52 Mg alloy to tailor its microstructure and improve corrosion resistance in simulated body fluid (SBF). FSP refined coarse grains of the base material into fine equiaxed structures, fragmented and homogenized secondary phases, and increased the solid solubility of alloying elements in the α-Mg matrix. Electrochemical tests showed that the polarization resistance increased from 346.6 Ω·cm2 (BM) to 914.1 Ω·cm2 (FSP 1200–200), while the corrosion current density decreased by nearly one order of magnitude. Long-term immersion confirmed delayed pH rise and reduced corrosion depth. These results demonstrate that FSP is an effective strategy to enhance the corrosion performance of ZE52 Mg alloys, providing valuable insights for the development of biodegradable orthopedic implants.falseBiodegradable implantsCorrosion resistanceFriction stir processing (FSP)Magnesium alloysMicrostructure refinementRare earth elementsZE52journal article10.1016/j.jallcom.2026.1867062-s2.0-105029909037