Fig. 1 Optical micrographs a, b and SEM images c, d of Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloy: a, c as-cast, b, d as-extruded

Fig. 2 XRD patterns of Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloy under different conditions

Fig. 3 Inverse pole figure of as-extruded Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloy

Fig. 4 SKPFM images of a as-cast alloy, b as-extruded alloy and corresponding Volta potential profiles along lines (A, B) in the SKPFM images

Fig. 5 Typical tensile stress-strain curves of Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys at room temperature

Fig. 6 Mechanical properties of pure Mg and Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys

Fig. 7 Potentiodynamic polarization curves of Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys immersed in Hank’s solution

Fig. 8 EIS plots of Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys in Hank’s solution: a Nyquist plot, b Bode plot of |Z| versus frequency, c Bode plot of degree versus frequency, d equivalent circuit

Fig. 9 pH variation of Hank’s solution for Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys

Fig. 10 Three-dimensional morphologies of tested alloys after removal of corrosion products: a, c as-cast alloy, b, d as-extruded alloy

Fig. 11 SEM images of the cross-sectional morphologies after immersion in Hank’s solution for 10 days: a as-cast alloy, b as-extruded alloy

Fig. 12 Corrosion morphologies of as-cast a, c, e and as-extruded b, d, f Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys after immersion in Hank’s solution for a, b 0.5 h, c, d 12 h, e, f 5d

Fig. 13 XRD analysis of the corrosion products formed on the surface of Mg-2Zn-0.6Zr alloys

Fig. 14 Statistics of material properties of biodegradable magnesium alloys