title: Mg-Zr-Sr alloys as biodegradable implant materials.
abstract: Novel Mg-Zr-Sr alloys have recently been developed for use as biodegradable implant materials. The Mg-Zr-Sr alloys were prepared by diluting Mg-Zr and Mg-Sr master alloys with pure Mg. The impact of Zr and Sr on the mechanical and biological properties has been thoroughly examined. The microstructures and mechanical properties of the alloys were characterized using optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction and compressive tests. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical analysis and hydrogen evolution measurement. The in vitro biocompatibility was assessed using osteoblast-like SaOS2 cells and MTS and haemolysis tests. In vivo bone formation and biodegradability were studied in a rabbit model. The results indicated that both Zr and Sr are excellent candidates for Mg alloying elements in manufacturing biodegradable Mg alloy implants. Zr addition refined the grain size, improved the ductility, smoothed the grain boundaries and enhanced the corrosion resistance of Mg alloys. Sr addition led to an increase in compressive strength, better in vitro biocompatibility, and significantly higher bone formation in vivo. This study demonstrated that Mg-xZr-ySr alloys with x and y ≤5 wt.% would make excellent biodegradable implant materials for load-bearing applications.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Frontier Materials, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria 3217, Australia. yuncang.li@deakin.edu.au
authors.forename: Yuncang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Cuie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: Dolly
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mushahary
authors.forename: Ragamouni
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sravanthi
authors.forename: Nemani
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harishankar
authors.forename: Gopal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pande
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hodgson
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000497:Alloys / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects; D016923:Cell Death / Q000187:drug effects; D003343:Corrosion; D004560:Electricity; D006801:Humans; D006859:Hydrogen / Q000032:analysis; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D055595:Mechanical Phenomena / Q000187:drug effects; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D010006:Osteoblasts / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D011817:Rabbits; D013324:Strontium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction; D015040:Zirconium / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D000497:Alloys; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D006859:Hydrogen; D015040:Zirconium; D008274:Magnesium; D013324:Strontium