Nano-heterostructured Fe-Mn-Se alloys with high strength-plasticity synergy, rapid degradability, low magnetism, and antitumor activity for orthopedic applications

doi:10.1016/j.jmst.2025.11.037

Abstract

Abstract: Biodegradable Fe-based alloys face significant challenges, including the strength-plasticity trade-off and limited biofunctionality, which severely restrict their clinical orthopedic application in orthopedics. Here, we report on a nano-heterostructural Fe-15Mn-0.6Se (wt.%) alloy with low magnetism, ultrahigh strength-elongation product, and potent antibacterial and antitumor capabilities. Due to its alternating nano-layered heterostructure of γ/ε/γ (γ-austenite, ε-martensite), the Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy exhibited extraordinary comprehensive mechanical properties with a yield strength of 1463 ± 5 MPa, an ultimate tensile strength of 1511 ± 4 MPa, and a fracture strain of 29 % ± 3 %. Moreover, this alloy showed superb antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, in vitro osteogenic bioactivity, and biocompatibility toward MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblast cells, and also effective antitumor activity against MG63 osteosarcoma cells. In the rat jaw defect model, this alloy showed complete biosafety and exceptional osteogenic properties. Overall, the Fe-15Mn-0.6Se alloy is a promising biodegradable bone implant material due to its unique mechanical and biofunctional properties.

Key words: Fe-Mn-Se alloy, Heterostructure, Antibacterial property, Antitumor activity, Magnetic susceptibility, Mechanical property

Bo Deng, Dechuang Zhang, Yilong Dai, Lin Guo, Sihan Lin, Jixing Lin, Xian Tong, Wei Xiong, Paul Wright, Yuncang Li, Cuie Wen. Nano-heterostructured Fe-Mn-Se alloys with high strength-plasticity synergy, rapid degradability, low magnetism, and antitumor activity for orthopedic applications[J]. J. Mater. Sci. Technol., 2026, 265: 177-189.

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