Investigation of biodegradability of mechanical alloyed Mg-Zn powders produced by powder metallurgy

Within the scope of materials science, the area and importance of biomaterials used to perform or support the functions of organs or living tissues in the human body is increasing day by day. Nowadays, the use of biodegradable magnesium alloys to be used in bone traumas that do not require long-term treatment eliminates the negative effects of metallic implants which are applied especially in children of growing age. Biodegradability can be explained as the substitution of the surrounding tissue by dissolving in living body or artificial body fluids where the produced material is used biologically. The most important properties expected from biodegradable materials are that the decomposition time is equivalent to the recovery time and that the products that will emerge after the decomposition do not have any toxic properties. In this thesis, whose experimental studies generally consist of three stages, the effect of zinc on the biodegradability of magnesium was investigated. In the first stage of the experimental studies, Mg-Zn alloy containing 11% Zn was mechanically alloyed by using powder metallurgy method and samples to be used with hot sintering for 15 minutes were produced. In the second stage, Mg-Zn11 alloys containing pure Mg and 11% Zn were prepared and subjected to immersion test in SBF for 7 days and the rate of degradation was determined by weight change. After the tests, biodegradability of Mg-Zn11 alloys increased. In the third stage, pure Mg and Mg-Zn11 alloys were characterized by microhardness, weight change, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) after SBF immersion test. The results were compared with the results before the SBF. It was determined that both the samples were corroded in the SBF and generally HA (hydroxyapatite) structure was deposited on their surfaces. Key Words: Magnesium, Magnesium alloys, Biodegradability, Corrosion rate