Enhanced Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility of NaMgF3Coating on Mg–Zn–Ca Alloy: An In Vivo and In Vitro Study

Abstract

The objective of the present work is to investigate the in vitro and in vivo performance of NaMgF3coating on Mg–3Zn–0.2Ca (MZC) alloy for bone applications. NaMgF3coating is developed on MZC alloy by using NaF solution, which prepares the F−containing coating while avoiding the use of hydrofluoric acid, which is of higher toxicity. The dense NaMgF3coating with a thickness of ≈20 μm contributes to reducing the corrosion rate of MZC exposed to Hanks’ solution by ≈43% from 0.7 to 0.4 mm y−1. The NaMgF3coating also depresses the corrosion rate of MZC in vivo, causing the residual volume of the implanted MZC rods to increase from below 70% to ≈90%. Besides, the toughness value of MZC rods coated with NaMgF3after implantation is 2780 MJ m−3, which demonstrates the continuous and sufficient mechanical support that is provided by it for bone repair. Importantly, osteoblasts can adhere and differentiate on the coating surface, and the NaMgF3coating enhanced the biocompatibility and osteogenesis of the MZC alloy. So, the NaMgF3‐coated MZC alloy could be used in bone repair applications.