Analysis of Mechanical and Physical Properties on Magnesium Tricalcium Phosphate Composite by Powder Metallurgy

Abstract

Thiswork is on the synthesis of biodegradable Magnesium metal matrix composites using power metallurgy technique for the application of bone plate implants, which exhibit excellent biocompatibility; whereas Magnesium alloys show good compatibility but their mechanical properties are not that good enough for using as degradable materials for bone implants. Magnesium metal matrix composites containing ZK30 Magnesium alloy with five weight fractions of (2, 4, 6, 8, 10wt.%) Tri-Calcium Phosphate (TCP) [Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 ] have been produced using powder metallurgy followed by hot extrusion for consolidation. The mechanical properties such as Hardness, Density, Porosity, Tensile and Compression tests were investigated. The micro hardness of Mg composites is found decreasing on increasing wt.% of TCP particles, also it can vary depending upon the quantity of TCP particles. The ZK30 Mg alloy and Mg composites have higher micro hardness than human bone. The composite density with weight fractions appears to have improved experimental density in most cases, whereas the porosity is found less. The ZK30/4wt%TCP holds a higher ultimate tensile strength of 241.462MPa whereas ZK30/10wt%TCP gives a minimum of 151.169MPa. However, for ZK30/4wt%TCP an increase in tensile strength is observed due to excellent inter atomic bonding between the ZK30 Mg alloy matrix and the reinforcement. A reasonably good ultimate compressive strength of 241.462MPa was recorded for ZK30/2wt.%TCP. However, the tested Mg alloy and the composites show higher tensile and compressive strength than human bone. The SEM observation in tensile and compression tests depict ductile fracture for ZK30 Mg alloy and brittle fracture for Mg composites. The micro hardness, tensile strength and compressive strength of Mg composites decreased on increasing wt.% of TCP particles. The Magnesium composite showed appropriate mechanical properties; thus, it is found a good choice for bone plates implants.