Bio-corrosion characterization of Mg-Zn-X (X = Ca, Mn, Si) alloys for biomedical applications

The successful applications of magnesium-based alloys as biodegradable orthopedic implants are mainly inhibited due to their high degradation rates in physiological environment. This study examines the bio-corrosion behaviour of Mg-2Zn-0.2X (X = Ca, Mn, Si) alloys in Ringer's physiological solution that simulates bodily fluids, and compares it with that of AZ91 magnesium alloy. Potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy results showed a better corrosion behaviour of AZ91 alloy with respect to Mg-2Zn-0.2Ca and Mg-2Zn-0.2Si alloys. On the contrary, enhanced corrosion resistance was observed for Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy compared to the AZ91 one: Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy exhibited a four-fold increase in the polarization resistance than AZ91 alloy after 168 h exposure to the Ringer's physiological solution. The improved corrosion behaviour of the Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy with respect to the AZ91 one can be ascribed to enhanced protective properties of the Mg(OH)(2) surface layer. The present study suggests the Mg-2Zn-0.2Mn alloy as a promising candidate for its applications in degradable orthopedic implants, and is worthwhile to further investigate the in vivo corrosion behaviour as well as assessed the mechanical properties of this alloy.