PRODUCTION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF BIODEGRADABLE FE ALLOY

In this study, biodegradable Fe-Zn alloys were fabricated by conventional powder metallurgy method for temporary implant applications. Magnesium, iron and zinc are the 3 main biodegradable metals. In general, biodegradation rate of the magnesium alloys is too high, while biodegradation rate of the zinc alloys is slow and zinc alloys are brittle. In addition, Zinc alloys show low strength and low plastic deformation. In general, biodegradation rate of the iron alloys is very slow. Biodegradable Fe-Zn alloys are promising for the temporary implant applications. In the present study, metal ion release amounts from the Fe-Zn alloy samples were lower than the toxic limit for the humans. Increasing Zn content from 0.5 to 12.0 weight % was decreased the elastic modulus of the alloys from 160 GPa to 125 GPa. Quantity of Zn and Fe ion release values were increased with the immersion time in SBF. Weight loss of the Fe-Zn alloys was increased with the immersion time. Increasing immersion time from 1 to 21 days increased the weight loss value from 0.4 to about 2.4 %. Increasing Zn content of the alloy raised the electrochemical corrosion rate of the alloy.