About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2026 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Advanced Biomaterials and Implants
|
| Presentation Title |
Additive Manufacturing of Fe-AZ31 Immiscible Bimetallic Composites for Degradable Implants |
| Author(s) |
Sai Akula, Xue Dong, Jason Spector, Atieh Moridi |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Sai Akula |
| Abstract Scope |
Revision surgeries for implantable metal devices are common due to implant palpability/prominence, infection, complications arising from stress-shielding. The potential need for surgical removal of metal fixation plates could be obviated by using degradable metal implants. Iron is a promising candidate due to its biocompatibility and favorable mechanical properties, but its clinical utility is limited by a slow degradation rate. This study investigates the microstructural and degradation characteristics of a novel Fe-AZ31 composite fabricated via directed energy deposition. Immersion test demonstrated improved degradation kinetics, with the composite degrading at ~1.2mm/year compared to ~0.1mm/year for pure iron. This enhanced degradation rate was attributed to multiple mechanisms, including Mg acting as sacrificial sites for corrosion, which leaves pits in iron, and Mg partially dissolving in Fe, potentially lowering its electrochemical potential. This work lays the foundation for further exploration of the Fe-AZ31 composite, opening new possibilities for the development of advanced degradable implants. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Additive Manufacturing, Biomaterials, |