Development of Fe-based bulk metallic glasses as potential biomaterials

• Published in: Materials Science & Engineering C Vol. 52; pp. 235 - 241
• Main Authors: Li, Shidan, Wei, Qin, Li, Qiang, Jiang, Bingliang, Chen, You, Sun, Yanfei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 01.07.2015
• Subjects: Amorphous materials; Austenitic stainless steels; Benzofurans - chemistry; Biocompatibility; Biocompatible Materials - chemistry; Biocompatible Materials - pharmacology; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Corrosion resistance; Fe-based bulk metallic glasses; Heat resistant steels; Materials Testing; Metallic glasses; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; Nanocomposites - chemistry; Saliva; Staphylococcus epidermidis - drug effects; Surgical implants; Titanium base alloys; Corrosion resistance; Biocompatibility; Fe-based bulk metallic glasses; Biomaterials
• ISSN: 0928-4931; 1873-0191
• DOI: 10.1016/j.msec.2015.03.041

A new series of Fe80−x−yCrxMoyP13C7 (x=10, y=10; x=20, y=5; x=20, y=10, all in at.%) bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) with the maximum diameter of 6mm have been developed for biomedical implant application by the combination method of fluxing treatment and J-quenching technique. The corrosion performance of the present Fe-based BMGs is investigated in both Hank's solution (pH=7.4) and artificial saliva solution (pH=6.3) at 37°C by electrochemical measurements. The result indicates that the corrosion resistance of the present Fe-based BMGs in the above two simulated body solutions is much better than that of biomedical 316L stainless steel (316L SS), and approaching that of Ti6Al4V biomedical alloy (TC4). The concentrations of Fe, Ni and Cr ions released into the Hank's solution and artificial saliva solution from the present Fe-based BMGs after potentiodynamic polarization are significant lower than that released from 316L SS. The biocompatibility of the present Fe-based BMGs is evaluated through the in vitro test of NIH3T3 cells culture in the present Fe-based BMG extraction media for 1, 3 and 5days. The result indicates that the present Fe-based BMGs exhibit no cytotoxicity to NIH3T3 cells. And the test result of the cell adhesion and growth on the surface of the samples indicates that the present Fe-based BMGs exhibit the better cell viability compared with 316L SS and TC4 biomedical alloys. The present Fe-based BMGs, especially Fe55Cr20Mo5P13C7 BMG, exhibit good glass formation ability, the high corrosion resistance and excellent biocompatibility, suggesting their promising potential as biomaterials. •Fe80−x−yCrxMoyP13C7 (x=10,20; y=5,10) BMGs with Dmax of 6mm have been prepared.•The corrosion resistance of the present BMGs is much better than 316L SS, and close to TC4.•The present BMGs exhibit no cytotoxicity to NIH3T3 cells and better cell viability.•Among, Fe55Cr20Mo5P13C7 BMG exhibits the best performance for biomedical application.