In Vitro Corrosion Resistance and Antibacterial Performance of Novel Fe–xCu Biomedical Alloys Prepared by Selective Laser Melting

Abstract

Antibacterial Fe–xCu biomedical alloys are designed to have a satisfactory biodegradation rate compared with pure iron. Fe–xCu (x = 0, 1.5, 2.3, 7.8, and 10.1 wt%) alloys are produced by selective laser melting (SLM). Alloying with Cu has a significant influence on the grain size, hardness, biodegradation rate, and antibacterial performance of SLMed Fe–xCu alloys. Increasing Cu content decreases the grain size and increases the hardness. SLMed Fe–1.5Cu, Fe–2.3Cu, and Fe–10.1Cu have degradation rates similar to that of pure iron, while the degradation rate of SLMed Fe–7.8Cu is almost 2.5 times faster. The SLMed Fe–2.3Cu, Fe–7.8Cu, and Fe–10.1Cu produce strong antibacterial performance. The mechanisms of degradation behavior and antibacterial performance are clarified. SLMed Fe–7.8Cu had appropriate mechanical properties, satisfactory degradation rates, strong antibacterial performance, and good cytocompatibility, and therefore is a novel type of antibacterial biomedical alloy with good potential for clinical application.