A novel hybrid approach to develop bioresorbable material

Area of Science:

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Biomaterials

Background:

• Increasing demand for bioresorbable implants that dissolve in the body.
• Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) offer high biocompatibility due to amorphous structure but are challenging to fabricate via traditional casting.
• Fabrication challenges stem from the trade-off between required fast cooling rates and mold filling rates.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a simple, cost-effective, hybrid approach for synthesizing bioresorbable BMGs.
• To create a Mg-Ca-Zn based BMG suitable for medical implants.

Main Methods:

• A novel hybrid approach combining friction stir processing (FSP) and gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW).
• FSP was used with Magnesium as the base material and Calcium granules as reinforcement.
• GTAW was subsequently performed using Zinc as the filler material.

Main Results:

• Successful intermixing of Calcium (Ca) with the Magnesium (Mg) matrix during FSP.
• Effective intermixing of Zinc (Zn) with the Mg matrix during GTAW.
• Observation of relatively invariable Ca phase distribution in the stirred microstructure post-FSP.
• Formation of a wide bead with a mixed dendritic and columnar cast structure.

Conclusions:

• The developed hybrid FSP and GTAW method offers a viable route for synthesizing Mg-Ca-Zn based bioresorbable metallic glasses.
• This approach is expected to address physiological issues in orthopedic fixations.
• The synthesized material may decrease the necessity for secondary surgeries, particularly in geriatric fracture cases.