An insight investigation on mechanical and corrosion behavior of ultrasonic squeeze casting processed Mg based alloy composites for bio-implantation

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) alloys are gaining prominence in the bio-implantation process due to their low weight, high strength, greater compatibility and ease of biological degradability. However, poor strength and rapid degradation in the physiological environment inhibit their application as implant material. The present experimental investigation examines the effect of Zirconium oxide (ZrO2) reinforcement on mechanical and corrosion behaviors of Mg - Tin (Sn) alloy composites, for assessing their feasibility in the targeted field. Mg-5%ZrO2, Mg-1%Sn, and Mg-1%Sn/5 % ZrO2 were fabricated via ultrasonic aided squeeze casting (UASC) process. Characterization studies on the synthesized composites were carried out to evaluate their morphology using SEM with EDAX and XRD. Mechanical properties were evaluated using micro-hardness and compression tests. Furthermore, the corrosion behavior was determined using Tafel and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results revealed that the Mg alloy bio-composite (Mg-1%Sn/5 % ZrO2) exhibits better compression (291.2 MPa) and yield (215.3 MPa) strength, elastic modulus (55.7 GPa), hardness (941.4 MPa) and reduced corrosion rate (0.475 mm/yr) than the base Mg and non-reinforced Mg bio-composite (Mg-1% Sn). Overall, the newly synthesized ZrO2 reinforced Mg bio-composite would potentially be used as a bio-implantation supportive material in bone fracture related treatments.