Numerical analysis of high–temperature behaviour of magnesium–hydroxyapatite metal matrix composite

Magnesium–hydroxyapatite metal-matrix composite (MMC-HA) is a biomaterial used in medical implants thanks to its adjustable mechanical properties. MMC-HA is exposed to high-temperature conditions during its manufacturing. Under such severe thermal loads, thermal residual stresses arise due to the mismatch in coefficients of thermal expansion between hydroxyapatite inclusions and the magnesium matrix, which could result in damage and failure. Additionally, morphology of HA inclusions affects the thermomechanical behaviour of MMC-HA but still lacks adequate investigation. In this work, the thermomechanical performance of MMC-HA under purely thermal loading is studied. A three-dimensional model with a single HA inclusion embedded in the Mg matrix domain was generated. Different responses of MMC-HA were analysed under fully fixed and periodic boundary conditions. The obtained results provided a relationship between the morphology of HA inclusions and the thermomechanical behaviour of MMC-HA.