Available online 1 November 2025

Biodegradable Fe-Se alloys are promising for bone-cancer defect repair owing to their significant antitumor properties. However, the inadequate strength and plasticity of as-cast Fe-Se alloys necessitate further research to improve their mechanical properties. In this study, we prepared a high-strength Fe-1Se alloy using ultrahigh-pressure solution treatment. The microstructure of the ultrahigh-pressure solution-treated (UPST) Fe-1Se alloy consisted of body-centered cubic (BCC) α-Fe ferrite, martensite, and FeSe second phase. The solid solubility of Se in the α-Fe matrix of the UPST Fe-1Se alloy significantly increased to 0.53 at. %. Due to the combined strengthening effects of the martensite structure, FeSe nanoprecipitate clusters, and the supersaturated solid solution, the UPST Fe-1Se alloy exhibited a yield strength of 1072.1 ± 5.8 MPa, 4 times that of its solid-solution-treated (SST) counterpart under atmospheric pressure and around 7 times that of the extruded magnesium alloy WE43. Further, the UPST Fe-1Se alloy showed antibacterial capacity against Staphylococcus aureus, biocompatibility with pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells, and antitumor efficacy against osteosarcoma MG63 cells. In summary, the UPST Fe-1Se alloy has broad prospects in orthopedic applications based on its unique mechanical and biofunctional properties.

This work reports the multiple strengthening mechanisms, corrosion and degradation behaviors, biocompatibility, and biofunctionalities of an ultrahigh-pressure solution-treated Fe-1Se alloy. The microstructure of the alloy consisted of body-centered cubic α-Fe ferrite, martensite, and FeSe second phase. The solid solubility of Se in the α-Fe matrix of the alloy increased to 0.53 at. %. The alloy exhibited a compressive yield strength of ∼1072 MPa. Moreover, the alloy showed antibacterial capacity against S. aureus, biocompatibility in relation to pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells, and antitumor efficacy against osteosarcoma MG63 cells. In summary, the alloy has broad prospects in orthopedic applications due to its unique mechanical and biofunctional properties.

Antibacterial property

Antitumor activity

Fe-1Se alloy

Martensite strengthening

Ultrahigh-pressure solid solution

© 2025 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.