Novel magnesium-nanofluorapatite metal matrix nanocomposite with improved biodegradation behavior.

Designing and preparation of magnesium alloys with adjustable biocorrosion rates in the human body and precipitation ability of bone-like apatite layer have been of interest recently. Application of metal matrix composites (MMC) based on magnesium alloys might be an approach to this challenge. The aim of this work was fabrication and evaluation of biocorrosion and bioactivity of a novel MMC made of magnesium alloy AZ91 as matrix and fluorapatite (FA) nano particles as reinforcement. Biodegradable Magnesium-nano fluorapatite metal matrix nanocomposite (AZ91-20FA) was made via a blending-pressing-sintering method. In vitro corrosion tests were performed for evaluation of biocorrosion behavior of produced AZ91-20FA nanocomposite. The results showed that the addition of FA nano particles to magnesium alloy can reduce not only the corrosion rate in a simulated body environment but also accelerate the formation of an apatite layer.