Processing and characterization of Fe-35Mn biodegradable metallic materials

Abstract

Now-a-days metallic biodegradable biomaterial (MBB) has taken more attention by research people. From last few decades an enormous research has been done in magnesium, zinc and iron based MBB. Magnesium and zinc based alloys are now in final implementation stage whereas iron based alloys still in research stage. To take iron based alloys to the implement stage, a lot of research has been done by many research people for different aspects from last few decades. Among all iron based alloys, Fe-35Mn is one of them which show higher degradation rate in vitro as well as in vivo studies. In this study, effect of average particle size varies (from 30 to 80 µm) on degradation behavior and was completely investigated of the above alloy which is being prepared via powder metallurgy route. Fe-35Mn alloy pellets were sintered in a tube furnace at 1200 °C under Ar-5%H2 atmospheric pressure. SEM and DLS particle size analysis showed that 3 h milling time was the optimum time for the milling of initial powder sample. Smaller average particle size (35 µm) was responsible for uniform corrosion of Fe-35Mn alloy. Optical microscope analysis showed uniform corrosion on the surface of the sample. XRD results were also showed anti-ferromagnetic behavior as γ-Fe phase was present after sintering. Sintered density and porosity were calculated for each sample and showed that 3 h milling time particle size has higher porosity which affects the degradation rate during vitro study. Hardness results depicted 3 h alloy sample had better micro hardness value (143 ± 4Hv). Almost 34% porosity and 5.068 g/cm3 sintered density sample showed better corrosion rate (1.065 mm/yr) than pure iron (0.16 mm/yr) during static immersion test.