Nano-SiC reinforced Zn biocomposites prepared via laser melting: Microstructure, mechanical properties and biodegradability

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2019.06.010

Abstract

Abstract:

Zn has been regarded as new kind of potential implant biomaterials due to the desirable biodegradability and good biocompatibility, but the low strength and ductility limit its application in bone repairs. In the present study, nano-SiC was incorporated into Zn matrix via laser melting, aiming to improve the mechanical performance. The microstructure analysis showed that nano-SiC distributed along Zn grain boundaries. During the laser rapid solidification, nano-SiC particles acted as the sites for heterogeneous nucleation, which resulted in the reduction of Zn grain size from 250 μm to 15 μm with 2 wt% SiC (Zn-2SiC). Meanwhile, nano-SiC acted as a reinforcer by virtue of Orowan strengthening and dispersion strengthening. As a consequence, the nanocomposites showed maximal compressive yield strength (121.8 ± 5.3 MPa) and high microhardness (72.24 ± 3.01 HV), which were increased by 441% and 78%, respectively, compared with pure Zn. Moreover, fracture analysis indicated a more ductile fracture of the nanocomposites after the incorporation of nano-SiC. In addition, the nanocomposites presented favorable biocompatibility and accelerated degradation caused by intergranular corrosion. These findings suggested that the nano-SiC reinforced Zn biocomposites may be the potential candidates for orthopedic implants.

Key words: Zn, Nano-SiC, Biocomposites, Laser melting, Mechanical properties

Gao Chengde, Yao Meng, Shuai Cijun, Peng Shuping, Deng Youwen. Nano-SiC reinforced Zn biocomposites prepared via laser melting: Microstructure, mechanical properties and biodegradability[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2019, 35(11): 2608-2617.

Figures/Tables 11

Table 1 Electrochemical parameters fitted from polarization curves.

Composition	I_corr (μA/cm²)	E_corr (V)	Corrosion rate (mm/year)
Pure Zn	7.641 ± 0.924	-1.005 ± 0.020	0.114 ± 0.038
Zn-0.5SiC	8.612 ± 1.089	-1.059 ± 0.025	0.148 ± 0.065
Zn-1SiC	9.700 ± 0.507	-1.107 ± 0.015^*	0.163 ± 0.035^*
Zn-2SiC	10.38 ± 1.114^*	-1.119 ± 0.027^*	0.198 ± 0.049^*
Zn-3SiC	11.09 ± 0.870^*	-1.170 ± 0.018^*	0.230 ± 0.027^*

Fig. 1. (a) SEM micrograph, (b) EDS analysis and (c) XRD pattern of nano-SiC powder; (d) SEM micrograph, (e) particle size distribution and (f) XRD pattern of Zn powder; (g) typical micrograph of Zn-2SiC mixed powder after 2 h mechanical milling; (h) corresponding EDS map of Si element distribution (red), (i) XRD pattern of the mixed powder.

Fig. 2. Optical microstructures of (a) Zn, (b) Zn-0.5SiC, (c) Zn-1SiC, (d) Zn-2SiC, (e) Zn-3SiC nanocomposites and (f) computed values of average grain size.

Fig. 3. SEM micrographs of Zn-xSiC nanocomposites fabricated via laser melting for (a) pure Zn, (b) Zn-0.5SiC, (c) Zn-1SiC, (d) Zn-2SiC, (e) Zn-3SiC; corresponding EDS analysis of (h) point A, (i) point B, and (f) line C; (g) EDS mapping of Si element distribution in Zn-2SiC (red).

Fig. 4. XRD spectra of laser melting processed pure Zn and Zn-2SiC nanocomposite.

Fig. 5. Mechanical properties of Zn-xSiC nanocomposites: (a) CYS; (b) microhardness (*p < 0.05, **p < 0.01).

Fig. 6. SEM morphologies of fracture surfaces of (a) pure Zn, (b) Zn-0.5SiC, (c) Zn-1SiC, (d) Zn-2SiC, (e) Zn-3SiC and (f) EDS analysis at point A. The typical fracture characteristics were indicated by white arrows.

Fig. 7. Potentiodynamic polarization curves of pure Zn and Zn-xSiC nanocomposites in SBF solution (*p < 0.05).

Fig. 8. Corrosion rates of Zn-xSiC nanocomposites calculated from weight loss after 50 d immersion in SBF (*p < 0.05).

Fig. 9. Surface morphologies and EDS map analysis of laser melting processed Zn-xSiC nanocomposites after immersion for 21 d: (a) pure Zn; (b) Zn-2SiC nanocomposite.

Fig. 10. (a) Fluorescence images of osteoblast-like MG-63 cells cultured in 100% extracts, and (b) CCK-8 results in 100% and 50% extracts of Zn-xSiC nanocomposites for different period with the data normalized to the control group.

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