Fabrication of biodegradable Zn-Al-Mg alloy: mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, cytotoxicity and antibacterial activities

• Main Authors: Bakhsheshi-Rad, H. R., Hamzah, E., Low, H. T., Kasiri-Asgarani, M., Farahany, S., Akbari, E., Cho, M. H.
• Format: Article
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 2017
• Subjects: TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
• Online Access: http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/76936/; https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85007232598&doi=10.1016%2fj.msec.2016.11.138&partnerID=40&md5=dfc4be242df139f2ec6eb8ea7f674272

In this work, binary Zn-0.5Al and ternary Zn-0.5Al-xMg alloys with various Mg contents were investigated as biodegradable materials for implant applications. Compared with Zn-0.5Al (single phase), Zn-0.5Al-xMg alloys consisted of the α-Zn and Mg2(Zn, Al)11 with a fine lamellar structure. The results also revealed that ternary Zn-Al-Mg alloys presented higher micro-hardness value, tensile strength and corrosion resistance compared to the binary Zn-Al alloy. In addition, the tensile strength and corrosion resistance increased with increasing the Mg content in ternary alloys. The immersion tests also indicated that the corrosion rates in the following order Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg < Zn-0.5Al-0.3Mg < Zn-0.5Al-0.1Mg < Zn-0.5Al. The cytotoxicity tests exhibited that the Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg alloy presents higher viability of MC3T3-E1 cell compared to the Zn-0.5Al alloy, which suggested good biocompatibility. The antibacterial activity result of both Zn-0.5Al and Zn-0.5Al-Mg alloys against Escherichia coli presented some antibacterial activity, while the Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg significantly prohibited the growth of Escherichia coli. Thus, Zn-0.5Al-0.5Mg alloy with appropriate mechanical properties, low corrosion rate, good biocompatibility and antibacterial activities was believed to be a good candidate as a biodegradable implant material.