Preparation of Biodegradable Mg/β-TCP Biofunctional Gradient Materials by Friction Stir Processing and Pulse Reverse Current Electrodeposition

Abstract

Mg alloys, as a new generation of biodegradable bone implant materials, are facing two tremendous challenges of enhancing strength and reducing degradation rate in physiological environment to meet clinical needs. In this study, tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) particles were dispersed in Mg–2Zn–0.46Y–0.5Nd alloy by friction stir processing (FSP) to produce Mg-based functional gradient materials (Mg/β-TCP FGM). On the surface of Mg/β-TCP FGM, the hydroxyapatite (HA) coating was prepared by electrodeposition. The effects of FSP and electrochemical parameter on the microstructure, microhardness, bonding strength and corrosion performance of the Mg/β-TCP FGM were investigated. After four passes of FSP, a uniform and fine-grained structure was formed in Mg/β-TCP and the microhardness increased from 47.9 to 76.3 HV. Compared to the samples without β-TCP, the bonding strength of the Mg/β-TCP FGM increased from 23.1 ± 0.462 to 26.3 ± 0.526 MPa and the addition of degradable β-TCP contributed to the in situ growth of HA coating. The thickness of HA coating could be dominated by controlling the parameters of electrodeposition. According to the results of immersion tests and electrochemical tests in simulated body fluid, it indicated that the degradation rate of the Mg/β-TCP FGM could be adjusted.