Mechanical properties enhanced by the dispersion of porous Mo particles in the biodegradable solid and bi-phase core–shell structure of Mg-based bulk metallic glass composites for applications in orthopedic implants

Abstract

Mg-based bulk metallic glass has become a candidate material for orthopedic implant applications due to its biocompatibility, controllable degradation rate, osteoconductivity, and osteoinductivity. However, this glass matrix is too brittle, which limits further application in medicine. To enhance such plasticity, we used an ex-situ method to add porous Mo particles to the Mg-based bulk metallic glass matrix to induce the branching of the primary shear band into multiple secondary shear bands. Our results revealed that ex-situ porous Mo particles can enhance plasticity in multiple dimensions and different structures of Mg-based bulk metallic glass. Moreover, these additional Mo particles did not impair the biocompatibility and biological function of preosteoblasts.