Degradable high-strength zinc compositions and method of manufacture

A degradable high-strength zinc alloy which includes i) at least 50 wt. % zinc, ii) a first metal additive that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of

• barium, calcium, cesium, lithium, potassium, sodium and strontium, ii) a second metal additive that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, magnesium, calcium, lithium, sodium, strontium, cesium, potassium, barium, scandium, Rare Earth (RE) and yttrium, and iii) a third additive that includes one or more metals selected from the group consisting of iron, gallium, indium, tin, lead, bismuth, germanium, strontium, nickel, copper, cobalt, iron, mercury, silver, molybdenum, indium, antimony, silicon, boron, and carbon;
• said first, second and third metal additives different metals;
• said degradable high-strength zinc alloy having a degradation rate of one or more of a) at least 5 mg/cm2/hr. in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C., b) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in fresh water, c) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in salt water, or d) 0.01-30 mm/day in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C.

A degradable high-strength zinc alloy which includes at least 50 wt. % zinc and 1-50 wt. % magnesium;

• said degradable high-strength zinc alloy having a degradation rate of one or more of a) at least 5 mg/cm2/hr. in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C., b) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in fresh water, c) 0.1-75 mm/day at 50-135° C. in salt water, or d) 0.01-30 mm/day in a 3 wt. % KCl fluid at a temperature of 90° C.