Properties of ultrafine-grained Mg-based composites modified by addition of silver and hydroxyapatite

ABSTRACT

In this study, hydroxyapatite and silver were added to Mg–1Zn–1Mn–0.3Zr alloy to fabricate ultrafine-grained metal matrix composites. Grain sizes of approximately 85 nm were recorded by atomic force microscopy for the Mg–1Zn–1Mn–0.3Zr–5 wt-% HA–1 wt-% Ag composite. The contact angles in water and simulated body fluid on the ultrafine-grained Mg–1Zn–1Mn–0.3Zr-based composites were determined. Following a hydrofluoric acid treatment, the surface wettability changed from hydrophilicity to hydrophobicity. The electrochemical test showed that the corrosion resistance of the fluoride-treated specimens was higher, when compared with the untreated samples. The Mg–1Zn–1Mn–0.3Zr–5 wt-% HA and Mg–1Zn–1Mn–0.3Zr–5 wt-% of HA–1 wt-% Ag composites modified with MgF₂ have a higher degree of biocompatibility, which makes them potential candidates for medical applications

KEYWORDS:

• Magnesium
• hydroxyapatite
• ultrafine grain
• metal matrix composites

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

ORCID

Kamil Kowalski http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9767-5711

Additional information

Funding

The work has been financed by Narodowe Centrum Nauki, National Science Centre Poland under the decision no. DEC-2013/11/B/ST8/04394.