Fabrication and Processing of Bioabsorbable Hybrid Zn/(Ag + Fe + Mg)-MMC on Developed Ultrasonic Vibration-Assisted Argon Atmosphere Stir Casting Set-up

Pure zinc has excellent biocompatibility and acceptable bio-degradation rate. But it has low mechanical strength and becomes brittle at elevated temperature. This problem can be eliminated with zinc base metal matrix composites. Keeping in view, this paper presents the fabrication process of bioabsorbable hybrid Zn/(Ag + Fe + Mg) metal matrix composite (MMC). The ultrasonic vibration-assisted stir casting technique with argon atmosphere was used to fabricate the bioabsorbable hybrid Zn/(Ag + Fe + Mg) MMC. An ultrasonic vibration-assisted stir casting set-up has been developed and utilized for the purpose. Mechanical property testing on fabricated composite specimens was carried out, and the effects of particulate reinforcement on mechanical properties were investigated. The mechanical properties of fabricated stir cast composite were modified and improved by hot-rolling and solution heat-treatment processes. From test results, it is found that the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) of the cast hot-rolled composite was 361.88 MPa, and hot-rolled with solution heat-treated composite was 284.31 MPa, whereas cast zinc was only 33.6 MPa. Hence, test results reveal the significant improvement in the UTS of the fabricated hybrid cast Zn/(Ag + Fe + Mg) MMC over cast Zn matrix. The hot-rolled and solution heat-treated hybrid Zn/(Ag + Fe + Mg) MMC may be used as an alternative material for fabrication of bioabsorbable medical implants.