The effect of the nano- bioglass reinforcement on magnesium based composite.

Nano-bioceramic particles serving as a reinforcement can improve the mechanical and biological properties of magnesium implants, but they might have some side effects, that must be addressed. In this research, magnesium composites including 10 wt% nano-bioglass (nBG) were fabricated using powder metallurgy (PM10) and spark plasma sintering (SPS10) methods for bone reconstruction purposes. The results of the compression test indicated that the SPS10 sample had higher mechanical properties, in comparison to the PM10 sample, and nBG had more reinforcing effect on the mechanical properties of magnesium matrix. X-ray difractometery indicated that nBG was chemically reacted with magnesium in the PM10 sample, and resulted in some extra phases (MgO and Mg 2 Si) formation, while there was no detectable extra phases in the SPS10 sample. However, a higher in vitro degradation rate was observed for PM10 sample, because of multi-phase formation at the magnesium matrix. To inhibit the chemical reaction between magnesium and nBG kinetically, a short time sintering process can be, therefore, recommended. • The side effect of nano bioglass addition to the magnesium matrix is introduced for the first time. • The time of sintering of Mg-nBG composite, affects its properties. • Magnesium is a high affinity metal and its chemical reactions to reinforcement during processing should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]