MUMBAI, India, Oct. 5 -- Intellectual Property India has published a patent application (202641114416 A) filed by Vallurupalli Nageswara Rao Vignana Jyothi Institute Of Engineering And Technology on September 24, 2026, for A Method For Fabricating Zn-Mg-Fap Biodegradable Composites Using Electromagnetic Induction Melting.
Inventor includes Dr. S. V. Satya Prasad.
The application for the patent was published on October 02, 2026, under issue no. 40/2026.
Abstract: ABSTRACT [0032] Biodegradable zinc based alloys are extensively studied as temporary load bearing materials because of their relatively low strength, corrosion resistance and degradability in biological environments. In this study, Zn-Mg-FAp (fluorapatite) composites were prepared by electromagnetic induction stir casting, which allowed for uniform distribution of the reinforcement particles. The addition of magnesium improved the strength of zinc, while fluorapatite as a bioactive filler phase enhanced the performance of the composite. The samples were fabricated in four compositions with 0%, 1%, 3% and 5% FAp by weight using an electromagnetic induction melting system of 175 kW and 3200 Hz. The melt was poured into preheated steel cylindrical moulds to form rods with 30 mm diameter and 150 mm length. The prepared specimens were tested for tensile, compression and Vickers microhardness (ASTM standards) and microstructural characterization using field emission scanning electron microscopy. [0033] It was found that the tensile strength, compressive strength and microhardness values increased with the addition of FAp up to 3 wt% and then slightly decreased. The 3 wt% FAp composite achieved the maximum tensile strength of 336.26 MPa and microhardness of 86.1 HV due to grain refinement and improved dispersion. Density measurements revealed that the experimental densities were less than the theoretical densities, suggesting a level of porosity (around 15-18%) due to gas entrapment and shrinkage. Anti-bacterial test was conducted against Escherichia coli (E. coli), and the composites showed clear zones of inhibition, indicating their antibacterial properties. This is due to the release of zinc ions and the presence of FAp, which play a role in bacterial inhibition. This research shows that electromagnetic induction based stir casting can be used to develop Zn-Mg-FAp composites with improved mechanical properties, acceptable porosity and good antibacterial properties, making them potential candidates for biodegradable orthopaedic implants.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
