Effects of MgO modified ß-TCP nanoparticles on the microstructure and properties of ß-TCP/Mg-Zn-Zr composites.

ABSTRACT

The mechanical properties and corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy composites were improved by the addition of MgO surface modified tricalcium phosphate ceramic nanoparticles (m-ß-TCP). Mg-3Zn-0.8Zr composites with unmodified (MZZT) and modified (MZZMT) nanoparticles were produced by high shear mixing technology. Effects of MgO m-ß-TCP nanoparticles on the microstructure, mechanical properties, electrochemical corrosion properties and cytocompatibility of Mg-Zn-Zr/ß-TCP composites were investigated. After hot extrusion deformation and dynamic recrystallization, the grain size of MZZMT was the half size of MZZT and the distribution of m-ß-TCP particles in the matrix was more uniform than ß-TCP particles. The yield tensile strength (YTS), ultimate tensile strength (UTS), and corrosion potential (Ecorr) of MZZMT were higher than MZZT; the corrosion current density (Icorr) of MZZMT was lower than MZZT. Cell proliferation of co-cultured MZZMT and MZZT composite samples were roughly the same and the cell number at each time point is higher for MZZMT than for MZZT samples.