PMRF Project

Iron based degradable internal fracture fixation devices with enhanced antibacterial Activity

Biodegradable materials are being widely investigated for internal fracture fixation devices to avoid second surgery and long-term complications associated with permanent implants. However, polymers and metals (Mg, Zn) are often found unsuitable for load bearing applications due to their poor mechanical and corrosion properties. Implants made of pure iron provide good mechanical support but their degradation rate is too low. Therefore, current research project is based on Cu alloying in Fe-Mn alloy. Preliminary work performed on this idea shows that Biodegradable materials are being widely investigated for internal fracture fixation devices to avoid second surgery and long-term complications associated with permanent implants. However, polymers and metals (Mg, Zn) are often found unsuitable for load bearing applications due to their poor mechanical and corrosion properties. Implants made of pure iron provide good mechanical support but their degradation rate is too low. Therefore, current research project is based on Cu alloying in Fe-Mn alloy. Preliminary work performed on this idea shows that Cu alloying in Fe-Mn alloy improves its mechanical, degradation and antibacterial properties and makes it suitable for load-bearing applications.

Objectives:

• Understand metallurgical and biological effect of Cu in Fe-Mn alloy through powder metallurgy route as a proof of concept.

• Development of Fe-Mn-Cu alloy through in vitro and in vivo studies for internal fracture fixation devices with enhanced antimicrobial properties.

• Thermo-mechanical processing of Fe-Mn-3wt% Cu for improved degradation.

• Development and biocompatibility study of degradable iron based porous scaffold.