This is a past event.

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar

Henry Summers

MS Student, Materials Science and Engineering
Michigan Technological University

1–1:20 p.m.

Abstract

Zinc-based alloy systems are attractive candidate materials for use in the construction of temporary, bioresorbable stents due to their ideal corrosion behavior and biocompatibility. Despite the numerous improvements that have been made to the mechanical and corrosion performance of these alloys, their mechanical stability while undergoing the combined effects of corrosion and cyclic loading has not received substantial attention by researchers working to advance the development of temporary stent materials. This study aims to elucidate the impacts of secondary phases present in the microstructure of a hot-extruded Zn-Ag-Mn-Cu-Zr-Ti alloy on the corrosion-fatigue performance. An annealing treatment was used to reduce the volume of secondary phases by roughly 40%. Fatigue experiments were conducted on samples in as-extruded and annealed conditions. Physiological conditions were simulated by immersing the samples in a body-temperature (37°C) Hank’s balanced salt solution during fatigue tests and compared with similar tests in air. Fracture surfaces were utilized to identify differences in fracture mechanisms caused by microstructural and environmental variables.

Bio

Henry Summers is an MS candidate in the MSE department working under the guidance of Jaroslaw Drelich. He received his BS in Materials Science and Engineering from MTU in spring 2023. His current research focuses on the characterization of mechanical and corrosion behaviors in novel zinc-based bioresorbable alloys for medical implant devices. Upon completion of his MS, Summers plans to pursue his PhD abroad, continuing work with bioresorbable implant materials