Production of Mg-Ca-Zn-Zr-Cu alloy for resorbable compression screw in bone fixation applications

Abstract

In this work, biodegradable Mg-Ca-Zn-Zr-Cu alloy specimens were manufactured for temporary implant (compression bone screw or interference screw) applications in the bone fixation applications. Mg-Ca-Zn-Zr-Cu alloy specimens were produced by the metal (powder) injection moulding (MIM/PIM) method. Small and complex parts can be manufactured with the metal (powder) injection moulding (MIM) technique. The metal powder mixtures were mechanically alloyed to prepare the Mg alloys. A mixture consisting of paraffin wax, polyethylene and stearic acid was used as a multi-component polymer binder. Electrochemical corrosion performance of the Mg alloy samples was investigated in the simulated body fluid solution. The experimental findings demonstrated that the electrochemical corrosion resistance of the samples was enhanced with the alloying the Mg. Biodegradation (resorption) performance of the specimens was investigated by using weight change and metal (Mg) ion release measurements. Effect of the alloying elements on the Young's (elastic) modulus of the alloy was also studied.