Novel Zinc / Tungsten Carbide Nanocomposite as Bioabsorbable Implant

There is a lack of bioabsorbable materials with adequate mechanical strength suitable for implant applications that provide temporary support while tissue integrity is restored, especially for pediatric applications. Bioabsorbable metals have emerged as an attractive choice due to their combination of strength, ductility, and biocompatibility in vivo. Zinc has shown great promise as a bioabsorbable metal, but the weak mechanical properties of pure zinc limit its application as an implant material. This study investigates zinc-tungsten carbide (Zn-WC) nanocomposite as a novel material for bioabsorbable metallic implants. Ultrasound-assisted powder compaction was used to fabricate Zn-WC nanocomposites. This study includes the material characterization of microstructure, microhardness, and degradability. Results showed that tungsten carbide nanoparticles enhanced the mechanical properties of Zn, and maintained the favorable corrosion rate of pure Zn. These results encourage further investigation of Zn-WC nanocomposites for biomedical applications with the ultimate goal of creating safe and efficacious bioabsorbable metallic implants for many clinical applications.