Laser-Sintered Mg-Zn Supersaturated Solid Solution with High Corrosion Resistance.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Biomaterials Engineering
• Corrosion Science

Background:

• Magnesium (Mg) alloys are promising for biodegradable implants due to their mechanical properties and biocompatibility.
• Enhancing Mg alloy corrosion resistance is crucial for controlling degradation rates in physiological environments.
• Solid solutions, particularly Mg-Zn, offer a pathway to improved electrochemical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a supersaturated solid solution of Mg-Zn alloy with enhanced corrosion resistance.
• To investigate the fabrication of Mg-Zn alloys using a combination of mechanical alloying (MA) and laser sintering.
• To evaluate the cytocompatibility of the fabricated Mg-Zn solid solution for potential biomedical applications.

Main Methods:

• Supersaturated Mg-Zn alloy powders were synthesized using mechanical alloying (MA) to overcome equilibrium phase limitations.
• Laser sintering was employed to shape the MA-processed powders into solid parts, preserving the supersaturated state.
• Corrosion rates were measured, and cell toxicity tests were conducted to assess material performance and biocompatibility.

Main Results:

• Mechanical alloying followed by laser sintering successfully produced a supersaturated Mg-Zn solid solution.
• The Mg-Zn alloy fabricated from powders milled for 30 hours exhibited a significantly enhanced corrosion potential.
• A reduced corrosion rate of 0.54 mm/year was achieved, alongside confirmed good cytocompatibility.

Conclusions:

• The combined MA and laser sintering technique is an effective strategy for fabricating Mg-Zn supersaturated solid solutions.
• The enhanced corrosion resistance and good cytocompatibility make this Mg-Zn alloy a viable candidate for biomedical applications.
• This approach offers a novel method for producing advanced magnesium alloys with tailored properties.