Microstructure Evolution during Mechanical Alloying of a Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy

Abstract

The aim of the present work was to apply a mechanical alloying method to obtain a Mg-10Zn-0.5Zr-0.8Ca powder-alloy with morphological and dimensional characteristics, proper for subsequent selective laser melting (SLM) processing. The mechanical alloying process was applied at different values of the milling time. Thus, the evolution of the main morphological and dimensional characteristics of the experimented powder-alloy could be studied. The conclusion of this study is that mechanical alloying possesses good potential to obtain powder-alloy with almost rounded morphology and fine dimensions, proper for further additive manufacturing procedures such as selective laser melting.

Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys for Personalised Temporary Implants

“…The reason for applying several milling times (2–10 h) consisted of finding the option to obtain a powder with characteristics suitable for the SLM processing as follows: fineness as high as possible; spherical morphologies as possible; without defects, impurities, or porosities; with almost equal diameters. The other important parameters for an efficient MA process, such as the weight ratio of powder to oxide balls or the grinding speed, were optimised in previous research [ 45 , 46 , 47 ] at 10:1 for the weight ratio and 300 rpm, respectively. Obviously, the variant with a longer milling time (10 h) proved to be necessary to obtain a powder with optimal characteristics.…”

“…The objective is to investigate whether this high-biocompatible material is suitable for biodegradable temporary custom implants obtained via additive manufacturing. Our previous investigations [ 45 , 46 , 47 ] were related to the optimisation of process parameters for mechanical alloying, for obtaining the alloy in the powder stage, and for additive manufacturing by L-BPF (laser bed powder fusion), the process of obtaining a sample for a demonstrative implant. Now, the investigations have focused on the main functional properties of the alloy, corresponding to all processing stages, from a powder to demonstrative implant, i.e., structural and mechanical characteristics and corrosion resistance in simulated body fluids.…”

The Characterization of a Biodegradable Mg Alloy after Powder Bed Fusion with Laser Beam/Metal Processing for Custom Shaped Implants

“…As already stated in the Introduction, in the previously published articles [54,55] the preponderance was the microstructural analysis of the studied alloy. In the article [54], the emphasis was placed on the step-by-step follow-up of the morphological and compositional evolution of the powder alloy obtained through mechanical alloying by varying the milling time.…”

“…As already stated in the Introduction, in the previously published articles [54,55] the preponderance was the microstructural analysis of the studied alloy. In the article [54], the emphasis was placed on the step-by-step follow-up of the morphological and compositional evolution of the powder alloy obtained through mechanical alloying by varying the milling time. In the second article [55], the microstructural evolution of the subsequent AM samples using the PBF-LB/M method by varying the volumetric energy-density parameter was highlighted.…”

“…The aim of the work is to obtain adequate microstructural, mechanical and corrosion characteristics suitable for bone implants. The present study represents a complementary research work to anterior published [54,55] papers, which, at this time, are mainly based on mechanical and corrosion analysis, with a summary microstructural analysis. In addition to the objective stated above, possible research limitations could appear for this incipient experimental program due to the new selected processing route with specific conditions-mechanical alloying followed by PBF-LB/M-applied to a new compositional type of a biodegradable Mg-based alloy.…”