The effects of β-TCP on mechanical properties, corrosion behavior and biocompatibility of β-TCP/Zn-Mg composites

Abstract Zinc has attracted increasing attention in the field of degradable implant materials due to its suitable degradation rate. To further improve the mechanical properties and biocompatibility of zinc, Zn-1Mg-nvol%β-TCP (n = 0, 1, 3, 5) composites were fabricated for biomedical application by the mechanical stirring combined with ultrasonic assisted casting and hot extrusion technology. The microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of these composites were systemically investigated and the composite with the best comprehensive performance were selected for biocompatibility evaluation including L-929 cells cytotoxicity test and SD rat model experiment. Tensile test revealed that Zn-1Mg-1vol%β-TCP composite possessed optimal mechanical properties. The yield strength (YS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), elongation (σ) and elastic modulus (E) of the as-extruded Zn-1Mg-1vol%β-TCP composite are 250.8 MPa, 330.5 MPa, 11.7% and 125.4 GPa respectively. The immersion tests showed that the corrosion resistance of the composite is slightly decreased with the increase of β-TCP content. In addition, the addition of β-TCP makes the cytocompatibility of the composites better than that of the Zn-1Mg alloy matrix. Various blood biochemical parameters in rat serum samples after implantation showed Zn-1Mg alloy and Zn-1Mg-β-TCP composites has not significant tissue inflammation and showed good biocompatibility.