Abstract
Designing the new microstructure is an effective way to accelerate the biomedical application of magnesium (Mg) alloys. In this study, a novel Mg–8Er–1Zn alloy with profuse nano-spaced basal plane stacking faults (SFs) was prepared by combined processes of direct-chill semi-continuous casting, heat-treatment and hot-extrusion. The formation of SFs made the alloy possess outstanding comprehensive performance as the biodegradable implant material. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS: 318 MPa), tensile yield strength (TYS: 207 MPa) and elongation (21%) of the alloy with SFs were superior to those of most reported degradable Mg-based alloys. This new alloy showed acceptable biotoxicity and degradation rate (0.34 mm/year), and the latter could be further slowed down through optimizing the microstructure. Most amazing of all, the uniquely uniform in vitro/vivo corrosion behavior was obtained due to the formation of SFs. Accordingly we proposed an original corrosion mechanism for the novel Mg alloy with SFs. The present study opens a new horizon for developing new Mg-based biomaterials with highly desirable performances.
Highlights
Magnesium (Mg) ion is the fourth most abundant cation in human body and an essential element for many biochemical functions in the living processes of human body[1]
Zhang et al.[12] reported that as-cast Mg–5Gd–1Zn–0.6Zr alloy with long period stacking ordered (LPSO) phase located near grain boundaries exhibited slower corrosion rate and relatively uniform corrosion morphology compared with the alloy without LPSO structure
Peng et al.[43] investigated the effect of 18R and 14H LPSO phases on degradation behavior, and the results demonstrated that 14H LPSO phase in the grain interior was more effective to improve corrosion resistance than 18R LPSO phase distributed along grain boundaries
Summary
Magnesium (Mg) ion is the fourth most abundant cation in human body and an essential element for many biochemical functions in the living processes of human body[1]. The density, strength and elastic modulus of Mg alloys are close to natural bones compared with other medical implant materials[9]. All of these show great potential of Mg to be used for degradable biomaterials[2,10]. Single-phase solid solution Mg alloys are considered to be comparatively ideal degradable Mg-based materials due to the relatively uniform microstructure by some researchers[19,27,28]. In view of shortcomings of the common Mg alloys as biodegradable implants, recently designing new uniform microstructure for degradable Mg-based materials become another point of view. We consider that the development of the alloy with profuse SFs is a quite effective way to solve the main issues existed in the present degradable Mg-based alloys, and opens up a new horizon in the area of degradable Mg-based
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