Zinc (Zn) matrix composite has been newly discovered categories of biodegradable materials. With a combination of chemical stability, thermal stability and biocompatibility, ceramic nanoparticles outperformed intermetallics of zinc alloys with inherent advantages of retaining a proper corrosion rate and an exceptional ductility. Compared with Zn alloys, Zn matrix nanocomposites showed an unprecedented strengthening without sacrifices of corrosion rate, which were introduced by intermetallics. In this work, in situ titanium diboride (TiB 2 ) reinforced Zn nanocomposite was prepared via a few cost-effective and economical methods: flux-assisted synthesis (FAS), ultrasound-assisted nanoparticle homogenization and hot rolling. 3 vol.% of TiB 2 nanoparticles were synthesized with an average size of 454nm, followed by molten salt assisted ultrasound homogenization and hot rolling. Hot-rolled (HR) Zn-TiB 2 performed high strength and high ductility, mostly due to precipitation strengthening (Orowan strengthening). Yield stress (YS) and ultimate tensile stress (UTS) increased by 90% and 45%, respectively, while the elongation to failure retained 23%. The mechanical performance of Zn-TiB 2 made it promise to serve as an innovative biodegradable material for load-bearing applications.
Bioabsorbable metals are increasingly attracting attention for their potential use as materials for degradable implant devices. Zinc (Zn) alloys have shown great promises due to their good biocompatibility and favorable degradation rate. However, it has been difficult to maintain an appropriate balance among strength, ductility, biocompatibility, and corrosion rate for Zn alloys historically. In this study, the microstructure, chemical composition, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and corrosion rate of a new ternary zinc−iron–silicon (Zn–Fe–Si) alloy system was studied as a novel material for potential biodegradable implant applications. The results demonstrated that the in situ formed Fe–Si intermetallic phases enhanced the mechanical strength of the material while maintaining a favorable ductility. With Fe–Si reinforcements, the microhardness of the Zn alloys was enhanced by up to 43%. The tensile strength was increased by up to 76% while elongation to failure remained above 30%. Indirect cytotoxicity testing showed the Zn‐Fe‐Si system had good biocompatibility. Immersion testing revealed the corrosion rate of Zn–Fe–Si system was not statistically different from pure Zn. To understand the underlying phase formation mechanism, the reaction process in this ternary system during the processing was also studied via phase evolution and Gibbs free energy analysis. The results suggest the Zn–Fe–Si ternary system is a promising new material for bioabsorbable metallic medical devices.
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