Abstract
Recent studies indicate that biodegradable magnesium alloys and composites are attracting a great deal of attention in orthopedic applications. In this study, magnesium–hydroxyapatite (Mg–HAP) composites with different compositions and grain size were fabricated by a spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Their mechanical properties and corrosion behavior in a pseudo-physiological environment were investigated by pH measurements and inductivity coupled plasma (ICP) elemental analysis after an immersion test using Hanks’ solution. The results clearly showed that the addition of HAP improved both the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. The results also indicated that the finer grain size improved most of the properties that are needed in a material for an orthopedic implant. Furthermore, the authors reveal that there is a strong correlation between the compressive strength and the porosity. In order to achieve the same compressive strength as human bone using these fabrication conditions, it is revealed that the porosity should be lower than 1.9%.
Highlights
Magnesium and its alloys are considered innovative materials for orthopedic implants because of their many advantages which include biocompatibility and biodegradability [1,2,3]
The results indicated that the effects of the preparation method on the mechanical properties of Mg-HAP composites were even stronger than the volume fraction of reinforcement
Compression tests showed that finer grains strengthen the compressive strength which is understandable from the grain refinement
Summary
Magnesium and its alloys are considered innovative materials for orthopedic implants because of their many advantages which include biocompatibility and biodegradability [1,2,3]. Other conventional metallic biomaterials such as titanium alloys and stainless steels are used in orthopedic applications [4,5,6,7,8] They have two problems which are a high Young’s modulus and the necessity for a second surgery to remove implants after healing [9]. Young’s modulus of pure magnesium is around 41 GPa while those of the conventional materials, such as titanium alloys and stainless steels are around 110 and 200 GPa, respectively [14] Because of this reduced lack of fit, it has few possibilities to cause stress shielding effects. Recent studies indicated that Mg–HAP composites or Mg alloys with HAP coatings are promising candidates for orthopedic implant applications in terms of those mechanical properties and corrosion resistance [18,19]. The corrosion behavior in a pseudo physiological environment was investigated using Hanks’ solution
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
