Structural Characterization of Mg-0.5Ca-xY Biodegradable Alloys

In recent years, researchers have been able to identify new materials with special properties that can be used in major medical fields. Magnesium-based materials used in orthopedics are an important alternative, being the third generation of biocompatible materials. A biodegradable magnesium-based material has the ability to degrade at a certain rate, is biocompatible, and together with other alloying elements ensures osteointegration. Mg-0.5Ca-xY biodegradable alloys will be developed in an induction melting furnace using ceramic crucibles, melting at 710-720 °C in the controlled atmosphere of 5.0 Ar. SEM analyses and X-ray diffraction reveals the size distribution of Mg-sized grains, with a hexagonal lattice and formation of compounds with the two alloying elements: Mg2Ca, Mg2Y, Mg24Y5 uniformly arranged in the α-Mg matrix. The alloying elements influence the microstructure, the size of the α-Mg grains decreasing considerably.