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Utilizing Thermomechanical Processing to Design Optimized Biodegradable Mg-Ca Alloys
- Program: Materials Science and Engineering
- Course: EN.510.434 Senior Design/Research II
- Year: 2026
Project Description:
Lean magnesium–calcium (Mg–Ca) alloys are promising for biodegradable orthopedic implants because their limited alloying content suppresses corrosion while maintaining biocompatibility. The key challenge is achieving high strength without sacrificing corrosion resistance. Conventional extrusion at elevated temperatures prevents cracking but delivers only modest grain refinement. With the minimal precipitation hardening available from dilute Ca additions, the resulting mechanical performance remains inadequate. To overcome this, we systematically investigate post-solutionized thermomechanical processing routes to optimize microstructure, hardness, and degradation response. These results demonstrate that process design can overcome the limited strengthening capacity of lean Mg–Ca alloys and advance their viability as next-generation biodegradable implant materials.
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Processing Routes and Characterization Utilized
