Microstructure and properties of interpenetrating (HA+β-TCP)/Mg-3Zn composites fabricated by suction casting

Abstract:

The interpenetrating (HA+β-TCP)/Mg-3Zn composites were fabricated by infiltrating Mg-3Zn alloy into porous HA+β-TCP with different HA content using suction casting technique, the microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviors of the composites have been evaluated. It presented that the molten Mg-3Zn alloy had infiltrated not only into the pores but also into the struts of the porous HA+β-TCP scaffold to forming a compact composite. The Mg-3Zn alloy contacted to the HA+β-TCP scaffold closely, and no reaction layer can be found. The compressive strength of the (HA+β-TCP)/Mg-3Zn composite with different HA content were 115~196 MPa, which were about 350-fold higher than that of the original porous HA+β-TCP scaffold and 44 %-75 % of the strength of the Mg-3Zn bulk alloy. The corrosion resistance of the composites was better than that of the Mg-3Zn bulk alloy, and the mechanical and corrosive behavior of the composites were controled by the choice of HA /β-TCp ratio.