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Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomaterials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 December 2024) | Viewed by 18309

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Metal Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, China
Interests: biomaterials, including antibacterial metals for medical applications
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Laboratory for Biomaterials & Bioengineering (CRC-I), Department Min-Met-Materials Engineering & Research Center CHU de Québec, Laval University, Québec, QC G1V 0A6, Canada
Interests: metal-based biomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Metal is an important member of biomaterial family, usually playing a role of mechanical support in human body and generally behaving bio-inert. With the development of material technologies, metal-based biomaterials are developing continuously. Many new metal-based biomaterials have been developed with prospective application potentials in recent years, providing better materials platform for design and manufacture of metal medical devices. This special issue will invite those working on research and application of metal-based biomaterials to contribute their research achievements or reviews on the new metal-based biomaterials in order to promote people to better understand and be involved in these studies. The topics of interest include (but are not limited to):

  • Additively manufactured metallic biomaterials
  • Multi-functional biomaterials
  • New metals and alloys for application in medicine and biology
  • Advanced production techniques for metallic biomaterials
  • Mechanical properties of metallic biomaterials
  • Anti-microbial and infection-resistant implants and metallic biomaterials
  • Biomaterial-tissue interfaces
  • Mechanical properties of metallic biomaterials
  • Coatings and surface treatments of metallic biomaterials
  • Biodegradable metallic biomaterials including magnesium, zinc, iron, and their alloys
  • New areas of application for metallic biomaterials
  • Surface patterning of metallic biomaterials

Prof. Dr. Ke Yang
Prof. Dr. Diego Mantovani
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • metallic biomaterial
  • metal medical material
  • low modulus
  • antibacterial
  • anti-infection
  • biodegradable
  • porous
  • 3D printing
  • surface modification
  • composite
  • biocompatibility

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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32 pages, 29310 KiB  
Article
Microstructure Evolution, Tensile/Nanoindentation Response, and Work-Hardening Behaviour of Prestrained and Subsequently Annealed LPBF 316L Stainless Steel
by Bohdan Efremenko, Yuliia Chabak, Ivan Petryshynets, Vasily Efremenko, Kaiming Wu, Sundas Arshad and František Kromka
Materials 2025, 18(5), 1102; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18051102 - 28 Feb 2025
Viewed by 594
Abstract
Additive manufacturing is increasingly used to produce metallic biomaterials, and post-processing is gaining increasing attention for improving the properties of as-built components. This study investigates the effect of work hardening followed by recrystallisation annealing on the tensile and nanoindentation behaviour of laser powder [...] Read more.
Additive manufacturing is increasingly used to produce metallic biomaterials, and post-processing is gaining increasing attention for improving the properties of as-built components. This study investigates the effect of work hardening followed by recrystallisation annealing on the tensile and nanoindentation behaviour of laser powder bed-fused (LPBF) 316L stainless steel, with the aim of optimising its mechanical properties. As-built and thermally stabilised (at 900 °C) specimens were prestrained in a uniaxially tensile manner at room temperature (0.12 plastic strain, ~75% of maximum work hardening) and subsequently annealed (at 900 °C or 1050 °C for 1 h). The microstructure and mechanical properties were then characterised by optical microscopy, SEM, EBSD, XRD, nanoindentation, and tensile testing. It was found that prestraining increased yield tensile strength (YTS) 1.2–1.7 times (to 690–699 MPa) and ultimate tensile strength (UTS) ~1.2 times (to 762–770 MPa), but decreased ductility 1.5 times. Annealing led to recovery and partial static recrystallisation, decreasing YTS (to 403–427 MPa), restoring ductility, and increasing the strain hardening rate; UTS and indentation hardness were less affected. Notably, the post-LPBF thermal stabilisation hindered recrystallisation and increased its onset temperature. Mechanical property changes under prestraining and annealing are discussed with respect to microstructure and crystalline features (microstrain, crystal size, dislocation density). All specimens exhibited ductile fractures with fine/ultra-fine dimples consistent with the as-built cellular structure. The combined treatment enhanced tensile strength whilst preserving sufficient ductility, achieving a strength–ductility product of 40.3 GPa·%. This offers a promising approach for tailoring LPBF 316L for engineering applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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17 pages, 4115 KiB  
Article
Enhancing Mechanical and Biodegradation Properties of Zn-0.5Fe Alloys Through Rotary Forging
by Lebin Tang, Hailing Chen, Xinglong Zhu, Muhammad Zubair, Tao Sun, Lijing Yang, Xiang Lu and Zhenlun Song
Materials 2025, 18(3), 722; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030722 - 6 Feb 2025
Viewed by 663
Abstract
The rising prevalence of orthopedic conditions, driven by an aging population, has led to a growing demand for advanced implant materials. Traditional metals such as stainless steel and titanium alloys are biologically inert and often necessitate secondary surgical removal, imposing both economic and [...] Read more.
The rising prevalence of orthopedic conditions, driven by an aging population, has led to a growing demand for advanced implant materials. Traditional metals such as stainless steel and titanium alloys are biologically inert and often necessitate secondary surgical removal, imposing both economic and psychological burdens on patients. Biodegradable zinc-based alloys offer promising alternatives due to their moderate degradation rates, biocompatibility, and tissue-healing properties. However, existing studies on Zn-Fe alloys primarily focus on composition optimization, with limited investigation into how processing methods influence their performance. This study explores the effects of rotary forging on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Zn-0.5Fe alloys. By refining grain structure and promoting dynamic recrystallization, rotary forging achieves significant improvements in ductility (60% elongation, a 114% increase compared to the extruded state) while maintaining corrosion resistance. Electrochemical and immersion tests reveal that rotary forging produces a denser and more protective corrosion layer, thereby improving the degradation performance of the material in simulated body fluid. Cytotoxicity and fluorescence staining tests confirm excellent biocompatibility, validating the material’s suitability for medical applications. These findings elucidate the mechanisms by which rotary forging enhances the properties of Zn-0.5Fe alloys, providing a novel approach to tailoring biodegradable implant materials for orthopedic applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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18 pages, 4137 KiB  
Article
Characterization of a Magnesium Fluoride Conversion Coating on Mg-2Y-1Mn-1Zn Screws for Biomedical Applications
by Sofia Gambaro, M. Lucia Nascimento, Masoud Shekargoftar, Samira Ravanbakhsh, Vinicius Sales, Carlo Paternoster, Marco Bartosch, Frank Witte and Diego Mantovani
Materials 2022, 15(22), 8245; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228245 - 20 Nov 2022
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2980
Abstract
MgF2-coated screws made of a Mg-2Y-1Mn-1Zn alloy, called NOVAMag® fixation screws (biotrics bioimplants AG), were tested in vitro for potential applications as biodegradable implants, and showed a controlled corrosion rate compared to non-coated screws. While previous studies regarding [...] Read more.
MgF2-coated screws made of a Mg-2Y-1Mn-1Zn alloy, called NOVAMag® fixation screws (biotrics bioimplants AG), were tested in vitro for potential applications as biodegradable implants, and showed a controlled corrosion rate compared to non-coated screws. While previous studies regarding coated Mg-alloys have been carried out on flat sample surfaces, the present work focused on functional materials and final biomedical products. The substrates under study had a complex 3D geometry and a nearly cylindrical-shaped shaft. The corrosion rate of the samples was investigated using an electrochemical setup, especially adjusted to evaluate these types of samples, and thus, helped to improve an already patented coating process. A MgF2/MgO coating in the µm-range was characterized for the first time using complementary techniques. The coated screws revealed a smoother surface than the non-coated ones. Although the cross-section analysis revealed some fissures in the coating structure, the electrochemical studies using Hanks’ salt solution demonstrated the effective role of MgF2 in retarding the alloy degradation during the initial stages of corrosion up to 24 h. The values of polarization resistance (Rp) of the coated samples extrapolated from the Nyquist plots were significantly higher than those of the non-coated samples, and impedance increased significantly over time. After 1200 s exposure, the Rp values were 1323 ± 144 Ω.cm2 for the coated samples and 1036 ± 198 Ω.cm2 for the non-coated samples, thus confirming a significant decrease in the degradation rate due to the MgF2 layer. The corrosion rates varied from 0.49 mm/y, at the beginning of the experiment, to 0.26 mm/y after 1200 s, and decreased further to 0.01 mm/y after 24 h. These results demonstrated the effectiveness of the applied MgF2 film in slowing down the corrosion of the bulk material, allowing the magnesium-alloy screws to be competitive as dental and orthopedic solutions for the biodegradable implants market. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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13 pages, 2870 KiB  
Article
A Simple Replica Method as the Way to Obtain a Morphologically and Mechanically Bone-like Iron-Based Biodegradable Material
by Marlena Grodzicka, Gabriela Gąsior, Marek Wiśniewski, Michał Bartmański and Aleksandra Radtke
Materials 2022, 15(13), 4552; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134552 - 28 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1903
Abstract
Porous iron-based scaffolds were prepared by the simple replica method using polyurethane foam as a template and applying the sintering process in a tube furnace. Their surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and phase homogeneity was confirmed using X-ray diffraction [...] Read more.
Porous iron-based scaffolds were prepared by the simple replica method using polyurethane foam as a template and applying the sintering process in a tube furnace. Their surface morphology was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and phase homogeneity was confirmed using X-ray diffraction (XRD). Corrosion behavior was determined using immersion and potentiodynamic polarization methods in phosphate buffered saline (PBS). The surface energy was calculated by studying the changes of enthalpy of calorimetric immersion. A preliminary biological test was also carried out and was done using the albumin adsorption procedure. Results of our work showed that in using the simple replica method it is possible to obtain iron biomaterial with morphology and mechanical properties almost identical to bones, and possessing adequate wettability, which gives the potential to use this material as biomaterial for scaffolds in orthopedics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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Review

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24 pages, 7093 KiB  
Review
An Overview on the Effect of Severe Plastic Deformation on the Performance of Magnesium for Biomedical Applications
by Mariana P. Medeiros, Debora R. Lopes, Megumi Kawasaki, Terence G. Langdon and Roberto B. Figueiredo
Materials 2023, 16(6), 2401; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062401 - 17 Mar 2023
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 2428
Abstract
There has been a great interest in evaluating the potential of severe plastic deformation (SPD) to improve the performance of magnesium for biological applications. However, different properties and trends, including some contradictions, have been reported. The present study critically reviews the structural features, [...] Read more.
There has been a great interest in evaluating the potential of severe plastic deformation (SPD) to improve the performance of magnesium for biological applications. However, different properties and trends, including some contradictions, have been reported. The present study critically reviews the structural features, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior and biological response of magnesium and its alloys processed by SPD, with an emphasis on equal-channel angular pressing (ECAP) and high-pressure torsion (HPT). The unique mechanism of grain refinement in magnesium processed via ECAP causes a large scatter in the final structure, and these microstructural differences can affect the properties and produce difficulties in establishing trends. However, the recent advances in ECAP processing and the increased availability of data from samples produced via HPT clarify that grain refinement can indeed improve the mechanical properties and corrosion resistance without compromising the biological response. It is shown that processing via SPD has great potential for improving the performance of magnesium for biological applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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17 pages, 4844 KiB  
Review
Systems, Properties, Surface Modification and Applications of Biodegradable Magnesium-Based Alloys: A Review
by Junxiu Chen, Yu Xu, Sharafadeen Kunle Kolawole, Jianhua Wang, Xuping Su, Lili Tan and Ke Yang
Materials 2022, 15(14), 5031; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15145031 - 20 Jul 2022
Cited by 25 | Viewed by 3909
Abstract
In recent years, biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility and unique biodegradability. Many Mg alloy implants have been successfully applied in clinical medicine, and they are considered to be promising biological [...] Read more.
In recent years, biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys have attracted the attention of many researchers due to their mechanical properties, excellent biocompatibility and unique biodegradability. Many Mg alloy implants have been successfully applied in clinical medicine, and they are considered to be promising biological materials. In this article, we review the latest research progress in biodegradable Mg alloys, including research on high-performance Mg alloys, bioactive coatings and actual or potential clinical applications of Mg alloys. Finally, we review the research and development direction of biodegradable Mg alloys. This article has a guiding significance for future development and application of high-performance biodegradable Mg alloys, promoting the future advancement of the magnesium alloy research field, especially in biomedicine. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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15 pages, 4059 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances on Development of Hydroxyapatite Coating on Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys: A Review
by Junxiu Chen, Yang Yang, Iniobong P. Etim, Lili Tan, Ke Yang, R. D. K. Misra, Jianhua Wang and Xuping Su
Materials 2021, 14(19), 5550; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma14195550 - 24 Sep 2021
Cited by 28 | Viewed by 4057
Abstract
The wide application of magnesium alloys as biodegradable implant materials is limited because of their fast degradation rate. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coating can reduce the degradation rate of Mg alloys and improve the biological activity of Mg alloys, and has the ability of bone [...] Read more.
The wide application of magnesium alloys as biodegradable implant materials is limited because of their fast degradation rate. Hydroxyapatite (HA) coating can reduce the degradation rate of Mg alloys and improve the biological activity of Mg alloys, and has the ability of bone induction and bone conduction. The preparation of HA coating on the surface of degradable Mg alloys can improve the existing problems, to a certain extent. This paper reviewed different preparation methods of HA coatings on biodegradable Mg alloys, and their effects on magnesium alloys’ degradation, biocompatibility, and osteogenic properties. However, no coating prepared can meet the above requirements. There was a lack of systematic research on the degradation of coating samples in vivo, and the osteogenic performance. Therefore, future research can focus on combining existing coating preparation technology and complementary advantages to develop new coating preparation techniques, to obtain more balanced coatings. Second, further study on the metabolic mechanism of HA-coated Mg alloys in vivo can help to predict its degradation behavior, and finally achieve controllable degradation, and further promote the study of the osteogenic effect of HA-coated Mg alloys in vivo. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Research and Development of New Metal-Based Biomaterials)
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