Topologically ordered magnesium-biopolymer hybrid composite structures

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel topologically ordered magnesium-biopolymer hybrid composite designed to control magnesium corrosion for biomedical applications, combining metal foam production and injection molding.

Contribution

It introduces a new fabrication method for creating 3D topologically ordered Mg-biopolymer composites to improve biodegradation control.

Findings

Hybrid composites show promising corrosion resistance.

Mechanical properties are suitable for biomedical use.

Potential for development of Mg-based biomedical devices.

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.