Degradation behavior and mechanical strength of Mg-Zn-Ca bulk metallic glass composites with Ti particles as biodegradable materials

MgZnCa-based alloys have great potential as implant materials due to their non-cytotoxicity, ease of degradation in the human body, and a low Young's modulus close to that of bone. However, there are few reports on their long-term degradation behavior and the mechanical properties resulting from degradation. This study thus aims to explore the long-term degradation behavior and mechanical strength of Mg₆₀Zn₃₅Ca₅and Mg₆₇Zn₂₈Ca₅bulk metallic glass (BMG) and its composites with Ti particles (BMGCs) before and after immersion in simulated body fluid (SBF). Rods of Mg₆₀Zn₃₅Ca₅and Mg₆₇Zn₂₈Ca₅BMG and their corresponding composites BMGCs have been prepared through an induction melting and injection casting method. Then, their degradation behavior, surface morphology, microstructure, mechanical properties, and biocompatibility have been systematically investigated. The results show that Mg₆₀Zn₃₅Ca₅BMGC has the lowest degradation rate (0.26 mm/year) after 12 weeks of immersion. It has a compressive strength of 807 MPa initially and 154 MPa after 12 weeks of immersion. In this study, all samples are classed as slightly toxic based on the standard ISO 10993-5.