A bioresorbable MgZn binary alloy strengthened poly-lactic acid matrix composite

Magnesium (Mg) alloy reinforced Polylactic acid (PLA) matrix composites have become more widely available to use in biomedical applications. It has been shown that the incorporation of Mg particle in PLA/Mg composites can improve the mechanical properties of the composites. At the same time, the PLA reduces the high degradation rate and H2 release of the Magnesium. The composite film of MgZn-Polylactic acid with Mg:Zn ratio of 5:1, 3:1, and 1:1 using Tetrahydrofuran (THF) and Chloroform as solvent was synthesized. The surface morphology of the synthesized composites film was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The particle dispersion was characterized using energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. The mechanical properties of the PLA/Mg composites were determined by a tensile test using a universal testing machine. When the composites contain the highest amount of Mg:Zn ratio, the morphological of the composites become “nugget” like caused by the particle agglomeration. The result obtained from EDS characterization shows that the chloroform solvent was able to disperse the Mg and Zn particle better than THF. The less crystallization happened on the Chloroform solvent composite, showing the better result in the tensile test as the highest average of UTS of the composites was recorded at 5.66 MPa.