Magnetron Sputtering as a Fabrication Method for a Biodegradable Fe32Mn Alloy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Iron-based biodegradable metals are of significant interest for medical applications.
• Optimizing mechanical, corrosion, and magnetic properties is crucial for biodegradable implants.
• Investigating advanced fabrication techniques is essential for tailoring material characteristics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To fabricate freestanding, microstructured Fe32Mn films using magnetron sputtering and UV-lithography.
• To investigate the influence of post-deposition annealing on microstructure, phase composition, and properties.
• To evaluate the mechanical, corrosion, and magnetic performance of the fabricated Fe32Mn foils.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of Fe32Mn films via magnetron sputtering and UV-lithography.
• Post-deposition annealing under a reducing atmosphere.
• Characterization using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, uniaxial tensile tests, electrochemical polarization, and vibrating sample magnetometry.

Main Results:

• Fe32Mn foils displayed a fine-grained structure with a tensile strength of 712 MPa, double that of pure Fe.
• Yield strength exceeded reported values for similar alloys; corrosion rates were lower than pure Fe.
• Annealed foils in the antiferromagnetic γ-phase exhibited low magnetic saturation polarization (0.003 T), superior to SS 316L, enhancing MRI compatibility.

Conclusions:

• Magnetron sputtering combined with UV-lithography offers a novel fabrication route for geometrically structured FeMn-based foils.
• The developed Fe32Mn foils present a promising balance of mechanical strength, low corrosion, and favorable magnetic properties for biomedical applications.
• The enhanced MRI compatibility makes these materials particularly suitable for implants where magnetic interference is a concern.