Observation of mechanical properties improvement of powder-based magnesium-carbonate apatite (Mg-10CA) through deformation strengthening process

Magnesium-Carbonate Apatite (Mg-CA) is an alternative biodegradable magnesium metal-based material that has the potential to be developed for temporary bone implants. As reinforcement, CA bioceramic is interesting to use because it has a composition like bone and has better osteoconductivity than hydroxyapatite (HA), so it is expected that it will help heal traumatized bones more quickly. Besides that, the CA used is a local product. This research on the development of Mg-xCA is a series of studies being carried out, one of which aims to improve its mechanical properties. Previous studies have shown that efforts to improve the mechanical properties of powder-based Mg-xCA using a sintering process are considered less effective, so other methods are needed. This paper contains further efforts to improve the mechanical properties of Mg-xCA, especially Mg-10CA resulting from initial compaction by warm compaction process. The method used is a deformation strengthening process through a hot extrusion process with an extrusion ratio (R) of 1.44. Characterizations were carried out including hardness, compressive strength, and microstructure. As a comparison, the characteristics of the previous sinter research results were used. The results showed that the compressive strength of extruded Mg-10CA (R1.4) increased 44.3% compared to the initial compaction condition with warm compaction (WC) or 68.3% greater than the further compaction with conventional sintering (CS).