Abstract
Zn-Fe alloys have been extensively investigated in this study with a view to their application as biodegradable bone implants. Biogenic element zinc is a very appropriate metal because of the ideal degradation rate compared to those of Mg and Fe. Studied alloys were made by compressing metallic powders in a content ratio of 100% Zn, Zn-1% Fe, Zn-2% Fe, Zn-5% Fe and Zn-10% Fe and sintering at 350 °C for 1 h. Prepared samples were examined by optical microscopy, SEM and XRD. Corrosion behavior, mechanical testing and hemocompatibility were observed subsequently. The electrochemical performance of such materials was studied in the simulated body fluids. The enhanced corrosion rate was observed for all samples after iron addition due to the micro-galvanic effect between the pure Zn and Zn11Fe intermetallic phase. The corrosion rate of the Zn-5% Fe alloyed sample was more than 20-times higher (2.89 mmpy) compared to the pure Zn. However, alloying with more than 5 wt % of iron diminished the mechanical performance of the material. Therefore, the performed mechanical and hemocompatibility tests showed acceptable biocompatibility of zinc and Zn-1% Fe and Zn-2% Fe samples.
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