A Brief Study of Magnesium-Zinc Alloy Scaffolds Performance

Abstract

Due to good biocompatibility, corrosion and mechanical properties, magnesium (Mg) is considered promising degradable material for orthopedic applications. In this work, Mg-Zn alloy scaffolds were produced via powder metallurgy method. The microstructure, composition, in vitro corrosion and mechanical properties of magnesium-zinc alloy scaffolds were investigated. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results indicated the formed nano precipitates consist of MgZn and MgZn2 intermetallics that dispersed in αMg. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images proved that Mg-Zn intermetallics nano precipitates with round morphology and size of 20–50 nm are homogenously dispersed in the αMg matrix. The results showed that the addition of Zn element increases the compressive strength, Young,s modulus and hardness. Also, Mg-(x)Zn alloy scaffolds produced, improved the in vitro anti-corrosion property of the αMg. The best unti-corrosion property is obtained with 3% Zn and further increase of Zn content up 4% deteriorates the corrosion property. All the results suggest that the Mg-Zn alloy scaffolds have the potential to serve as degradable implants for bone substitute applications.