Design of novel Zn-Ag-Zr alloy with enhanced strength as a potential biodegradable implant material

• Published in: Materials & design Vol. 183; p. 108154
• Main Authors: Wątroba, Maria, Bednarczyk, Wiktor, Kawałko, Jakub, Mech, Krzysztof, Marciszko, Marianna, Boelter, Gabriela, Banzhaf, Manuel, Bała, Piotr
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 05.12.2019; Elsevier
• Subjects: Antimicrobial properties; Biodegradable; Corrosion behavior; Mechanical properties; Microstructure; Zn-based alloy; Mechanical properties; Biodegradable; Antimicrobial properties; Microstructure; Zn-based alloy; Corrosion behavior
• ISSN: 0264-1275; 1873-4197
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2019.108154

In this study, a new biodegradable alloy from the Zn-Ag-Zr system was investigated. Most importantly, mechanical properties and ductility were significantly improved in designed Zn1Ag0.05Zr alloy in comparison to binary Zn1Ag and previously investigated Zn0.05Zr alloys (wt%). The characterized alloy reached values of yield strength, ultimate tensile strength and elongation to failure equal to 166 ± 2 MPa, 211 ± 1 MPa and 35 ± 1%, respectively. Simultaneous addition of both alloying elements contributed to solid solution strengthening, intermetallic Zr-rich phase formation, and effective grain refinement. Immersion and electrochemical in vitro corrosion tests showed a slight increase of degradation rate in ternary alloy up to 17.1 ± 1.0 μm/year and no significant loss of mechanical properties after 28-day of immersion in simulated physiological solution. In addition, the preliminary antimicrobial studies show antimicrobial activity of the investigated Zn-Ag-Zr alloy against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus. The presented results demonstrate that newly developed Zn-based alloy can be considered as a promising biodegradable material for medical applications. [Display omitted] •Simultaneous additions of Ag and Zr result in solid solution strengthening and grain refinement by the presence of intermetallic Zn22Zr phase;•Hot extruded Zn1Ag0.05Zr alloy shows enhanced strength and improved ductility in comparison to binary alloys;•The designed Zn1Ag0.05Zr alloy exhibits biodegradation in Hanks' solution with corrosion rate 17.1 ± 1.0 μm/year;•Investigated alloys from Zn-Ag-Zr system possess the ability to inhibit bacterial growth.