TITLE:
In Vivo Investigation of Zr-Based Bulk Metallic Glasses Sub-Periosteally Implanted on the Bone Surface
AUTHORS:
Kazuhiro Imai
KEYWORDS:
Amorphous Alloy, Bulk Metallic Glasses, Biomaterial, Osteosynthetic Device
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering,
Vol.4 No.1,
January
11,
2016
ABSTRACT: Bulk metallic glasses (BMG) show higher
strength and lower Young’s modulus than SUS 316L stainless steel and Ti-6Al-4V
alloys. This study aimed to investigate the reaction of Zr-based BMG sub-periosteally
implanted on the surface of the rat femur, thereby evaluate the possibility of
the BMG as biomaterials for osteosynthetic devices. Zr65Al7.5Ni10Cu17.5 BMG
ribbons with 10 mm length, 2 mm width and 0.5 mm thickness were implanted
sub-periosteally on the femur surface in three male Wistar rats for 6 weeks.
Systemic effects were evaluated by measuring Cu and Ni levels in the blood, and
local effects were evaluated by the histological observation of the surrounding
soft tissues in contact with the BMG. The reaction of the surface of the BMG was
examined with scanning electron microscopy. No increase of Cu and Ni levels in
the blood was recognized. In the scanning electron microscopy observation, spherical
deposits which were considered as sodium chloride crystals were observed.
Neither breakage nor pitting corrosion was noted. BMG will be a promising
metallic biomaterial for osteosynthetic device that must be removed.