Biodegradable Zn-3Mg-0.7Mg2Si composite fabricated by high-pressure solidification for bone implant applications

Xian Tong; Wenhao Cai; Jixing Lin; Kun Wang; Lufan Jin; Zimu Shi; Dechuang Zhang; Jianguo Lin; Yuncang Li; Matthew Dargusch; Cuie Wen

doi:10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.059

Biodegradable Zn-3Mg-0.7Mg₂Si composite fabricated by high-pressure solidification for bone implant applications

Acta Biomater. 2021 Mar 15:123:407-417. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.059. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

Authors

Xian Tong¹, Wenhao Cai², Jixing Lin³, Kun Wang⁴, Lufan Jin⁵, Zimu Shi⁶, Dechuang Zhang², Jianguo Lin², Yuncang Li⁷, Matthew Dargusch⁸, Cuie Wen⁹

Affiliations

¹ School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China; School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China; Department of Material Engineering, Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College, Wenzhou 325003, China.
² School of Materials Science and Engineering, Xiangtan University, Xiangtan 411105, China.
³ School & Hospital of Stomatology, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China; Department of Material Engineering, Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College, Wenzhou 325003, China. Electronic address: linjixing@163.com.
⁴ Department of Material Engineering, Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College, Wenzhou 325003, China. Electronic address: wangkunccc@163.com.
⁵ Department of Material Engineering, Zhejiang Industry & Trade Vocational College, Wenzhou 325003, China.
⁶ Key Laboratory of Materials Physics, Institute of Solid State Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hefei 230031, China.
⁷ School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia.
⁸ Centre for Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing (AMPAM), The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
⁹ School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Victoria 3001, Australia. Electronic address: cuie.wen@rmit.edu.au.

PMID: 33453406
DOI: 10.1016/j.actbio.2020.12.059

Abstract

Zinc (Zn)-based alloys have been considered potential biodegradable materials for medical applications due to their good biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, the insufficient mechanical properties of pure Zn do not meet the requirements of biodegradable implants. In this study, we have developed a biodegradable Zn-3Mg-0.7Mg₂Si composite fabricated by high-pressure solidification. Microstructural characterization revealed that the high-pressure solidified (HPS) composite exhibited uniformly distributed fine MgZn₂ granules in an α-Zn matrix. Comprehensive tests indicated that the HPS composite exhibited exceptionally high compression properties including a compressive yield strength of 406.2 MPa, an ultimate compressive strength of 1181.2 MPa, and plastic deformation up to 60% strain without cracking or fracturing. Potentiodynamic polarization tests revealed that the HPS composite showed a corrosion potential of -0.930 V, a corrosion current density of 3.5 μA/cm², and a corrosion rate of 46.2 μm/y. Immersion tests revealed that the degradation rate of the HPS composite after immersion in Hanks' solution for 1 month and 3 months was 42.8 μm/y and 37.8 μm/y, respectively. Furthermore, an extract of the HPS composite exhibited good cytocompatibility compared with as-cast (AC) pure Zn and an AC composite at a concentration of ≤25%. These results suggest that the HPS Zn-3Mg-0.7Mg₂Si composite can be anticipated as a promising biodegradable material for orthopedic applications.

Keywords: Biodegradable metal; Friction and wear; High-pressure solidification; In vitro biocompatibility; Zn-based composite.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Absorbable Implants
Alloys
Biocompatible Materials*
Corrosion
Materials Testing
Zinc*

Substances

Alloys
Biocompatible Materials
Zinc