Microstructure, Mechanical Properties, Corrosion Behavior and Hemolysis of As-Extruded Biodegradable Mg-Sn-Zn Alloy

As biodegradable biomaterials, magnesium alloys have favorable physical, chemical and mechanical properties, as well as good biocompatibility, and are expected to totally biodegrade in the body environment. The microstructure mechanical properties, corrosion behaviors and hemolysis of biodegradable Mg-Sn-Zn alloy were investigated under three extrusion ratios in the present work. It is revealed that the as-extruded microstructure is obviously refined with smaller grains compared with the as-cast structure while some twins form simultaneously. The tensile strengths of the as-extruded alloys fabricated with the higher extrusion ratio is 249MPa, and elongations is 16.3% respectively. Besides, the corrosion rate of as-extruded magnesium alloys increases with the increasing extrusion ratio. The hemolysis test result shows that the hemolysis rate of biodegradable magnesium alloys fabricated with the higher extrusion ratio is 4.8%, when hemolysis rate lower than 5% has been demonstrated safe according to ISO 10993-4. In conclusion, the as-extruded biodegradable Mg-Sn-Zn alloy shows great potential as a novel medical implant material.