Biodegradation Performance of Mg Alloys Affected by the Biocompatible Thin Film Metallic Glasses-Ii

This two-year proposal will continue the research topics of the approved MOST 108 project. The goal of this two-year proposal is to improve the corrosion resistance and to decrease the degradation rate of ZK60 Mg alloy by the deposition of biocompatible thin film metallic glass (TFMG) materials with different thickness and compositions which have been developed in our group over the last five years. The density and elastic modulus of magnesium (Mg) alloy are very close to these of human beings. Besides, the implanted Mg alloy exhibits the biodegradability and a lower strength to avoid the stress shielding effect of bone tissues around it. Therefore, the research of such biodegradable Mg alloy has been extensively studied. However, the drawback of Mg alloy is its poor corrosion resistance, which makes it produce hydrogen bubbles and low sustain period after implantation. In this two-year proposal, we will deposit amorphous (1) Ti-based (Ti45Zr35Fe20 and Ti37Zr30Fe33) and (2) Fe-based (Fe50Zr30Ti20 and Fe44Zr36Ti20) TFMGs for each year, respectively, on the surface of ZK60 by a magnetron sputtering system. The ion releasing, corrosion test, hydrogen gas evolving, and biodegradation test in the simulated body fluid, the MG63 cell test, and subcutaneous/cranial implantation in vivo animal tests of TFMG coated ZK60 alloys will be executed to verify the effect of TFMGs on the corrosion resistance and biodegradation rate of substrate. Finally, we will compare these results from this already approved MOST 108 project and from the following two years. We will conclude a critical technique including the optimal chemical composition and thickness of the biocompatible TFMG coating for the ZK60 alloys. Through this proposal, we will develop the novel biocompatible TFMG materials for decreasing the biodegradation rate of ZK60, which can be used to extend the value of the medical materials industry in Taiwan.

Project ID:PB10907-4705
External Project ID:MOST109-2221-E182-031