Influence of Copper Composition on Microstructure and

Mechanical Properties of Biodegradable Material Mg-Zn-

Cu for Orthopedic Application
A. Purniawan1),a), H.M. Maulidiah1), H. Purwaningsih1)
1)
Departement of Materials Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Surabaya, Indonesia

a)
Corresponding author: agung_pur@mat-eng.its.ac.id

Abstract—Implant is usually used as a treatment of bone fracture. At the moment, non-biodegradable implants is still
widely employed in this application. Non-biodegradable implant requires re-surgery to retrieve implants that are installed
in the body. It increase the cost and it is painful for the patient itself. In order to solve the problem, Mg-based biodegradable
metals is developing so that the material will be compatible with body and gradually degrade in patient’s body. However,
magnesium has several disadvantages such as high degradation rates and low mechanical properties when compared to the
mechanical properties of natural bone. Therefore, it is necessary to add elements into the magnesium alloy. In this research,
copper (Cu) was alloyed in Mg alloy based biodegradable material. In addition, Cu is not only strengthening the structure
but also for supporting element for the immune system, antibacterial and antifungal. The purpose of this research is to
improve mechanical properties of Mg-based biodegradable material using Cu alloying. Powder metallurgy method was
used to fabricate the device. The variation used in this research is the composition of Cu (0.5, 1, and 1.5% Cu). The porosity
test was performed using apparent porosity test, compressive test and hardness test to know the mechanical properties of
the alloy, and the weightless test to find out the material degradation rate. Based on the results can be conclude that Mg-
Zn-Cu alloy material with 1% Cu composition is the most suitable specimen to be applied as a candidate for orthopedic
devices material with hardness value is 393.6 MPa. Also obtained the value of the compressive test is 153.0533 MPa.

Keywords— Biodegradable, Mg-based, Powder Metallurgy, Orthopedic Devices.