Stir casting technology for fabrication of biodegradable magnesium metal matrix composites containing different percentages of hydroxyapatite reinforcement material for biomedical purposes

Abstract

Due to the superior biocompatibility and strength of magnesium and its alloys compared to other metallic alloys, such as those used in orthopaedics as a bone-implant material, they have recently been considered a breakthrough material for biomedical applications. However, before tissues have fully adjusted to the high chloride environment and physiological pH range of the physiological system, pure magnesium might lose its mechanical integrity. Therefore, it is believed that the development of magnesium matrix composites is an approach to decrease corrosion rates and improve their mechanical properties that are similar to those of natural bone. They are not required to be taken out once the wound has entirely healed because they are biodegradable as well, which might reduce the need for additional surgeries in the future. The stir casting technique has been employed in this workto produce samples of magnesium-based biodegradable metal matrix composites, referred to as M2H (Magnesium & 2.0 wt% Hydroxyapatite powder) and M4H (Magnesium & 4.0 wt% Hydroxyapatite powder), with varying amounts of hydroxyapatite powder as a reinforcement material. In this worktensile test samples (M2H-T1,T2 & M4H-T1,T2) andcompression test samples (M2H-C1,C2,C3& M4H-C1,C2,C3,C4)along with microstructural and SEM test samples (M2H-MS & M4H-MS)were prepared and cut to a suitable shape and size in accordance with ASTM standards. This paper mainly focuses on the samples preparation for mechanical testing and SEM characterisation.