title: Topologically ordered magnesium-biopolymer hybrid composite structures.
abstract: Magnesium and its alloys are intriguing as possible biodegradable biomaterials due to their unique combination of biodegradability and high specific mechanical properties. However, uncontrolled biodegradation of magnesium during implantation remains a major challenge in spite of the use of alloying and protective coatings. In this study, a hybrid composite structure of magnesium metal and a biopolymer was fabricated as an alternative approach to control the corrosion rate of magnesium. A multistep process that combines metal foam production and injection molding was developed to create a hybrid composite structure that is topologically ordered in all three dimensions. Preliminary investigations of the mechanical properties and corrosion behavior exhibited by the hybrid Mg-polymer composite structures suggest a new potential approach to the development of Mg-based biomedical devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, The University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Reece N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Oosterbeek
authors.forename: Christopher K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Seal
authors.forename: Mark P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Staiger
authors.forename: Margaret M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Hyland
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D003343:Corrosion; D008274:Magnesium / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D008274:Magnesium
keywords: degradable magnesium implant; interpenetrating network composite; magnesium polymer composite; porous magnesium; topologically ordered