No abstract

No abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of milling time on the phase formation, microstructure, densification, microhardness and compressive strength of Mg-Zn/HA composite that possess the ability to be used as biodegradable bone fixation device. The mixture of Mg-6 wt.% Zn/8 wt.% HA composite was mechanically alloyed (MA) in a planetary ball mill. Milling time of the composite powders were varied from 2-8 hours. The effect of milling time on the phase formation and morphology of the composite was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement and optical microscope (OM). The density, microhardness and compressive behavior of the sintered composites were also determined by the principle of Archimedes, Vickers microhardness test and compression test, respectively. The results suggested that a homogenous supersaturated solid solution of Mg-Zn/HA was obtained after 2 hours of milling time and the structures undergo structural refinement after being milled for 8 hours. Significant enhancement of hardness and compressive strength were observed in the composite as the milling time was prolonged to 8 hours. The hardness and compressive strength of Mg-Zn/HA being milled for 2 hours were as low as 47.18 HV and 122.49 MPa, respectively, while the composite achieved the maximum hardness and compressive strength as high as 70.47 HV and 209.39 MPa after mposite achieved the best mechanical properties. being milled for 8 hours. The optimum milling time to fabricate the composite was 8 hours, since the co