Mechanical Behaviour of Biodegradable Mg-Zn-Β Tricalcium Phosphate Composite for Femur Bone Plate

Abstract

Biodegradable composites encompass a diverse array of hybrid materials consisting of at least two phases, wherein either the fillers, matrix, or both are derived from biodegradable sources. The significance of degradability becomes paramount in applications like orthopaedic implants, aiming to obviate the necessity for a secondary surgery to remove implanted accessories post-healing. In this context, magnesium and its alloys emerge as highly promising candidates due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, biodegradability, non-toxic nature and mechanical properties that closely resemble those of natural bone. Despite their advantageous attributes, magnesium alloys encounter a notable drawback - low corrosion resistance, thereby impacting their mechanical and physical characteristics. To address this limitation, a strategic approach involves the development of a Mg-Zn matrix composite, reinforced with Ca3O8P2 (β-Tricalcium Phosphate). The goal of this improvement is to make biodegradable magnesium alloys more mechanically strong and bioactive, making them more robust and resilient in practical applications. The objective of this work is to create a composite material with a Mg-Zn matrix reinforced by Ca3O8P2 that will increase the mechanical strength and bioactivity of biodegradable magnesium alloys. This innovative approach aims to optimize the material's performance and the research involves a comprehensive investigation into the mechanical behaviour of the resulting composite. The dynamic compression plate is designed using CATIA V5 and the stress and strain analysis for different loading conditions are carried out in ANSYS.