Bio-corrosion and Biocompatibility evalution of Ni-free Zr-based bulk metallic glasses

Bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) demonstrate attractive properties for potential biomedical applications, owing to their amorphous structure. Two Ni-free Zr-based BMGs with composition of Zr60Cu22.5Fe7.5Al10 and Zr60Cu20Fe10Al10 (at.%) were prepared by suction casting technique for this study and their feasibility as biometallic materials were evaluated by studying bio-corrosion and biocompatibility behavior. Bio-corrosion experiment was performed in phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH=7.4) at 370C and Surface morphologies and corrosion products in corroded locations were investigated by scanning-electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) respectively. It was found that Zr60Cu20Fe10Al10 had higher passive region than that of Zr60Cu22.5Fe7.5Al10 however these BMGs were susceptible to pitting corrosion. Biocompatibility evalution performed by surface wettability and cell attachment using MG63 osteoblast cells. Pre-immersion treatment in 30vol% HNO3 solution performed for stabilizing Zr-oxide formed on the BMGs surfaces before surface wettability and cell attachment studies. Experiments Results showed that immersed BMGs in 30vol% HNO3 solution had significantly higher surface hydrophilicity and attached cells when compared with conventional biometal of Ti-6Al-4V.