Magnesium and its alloys as degradable biomaterials: corrosion studies using potentiodynamic and EIS electrochemical techniques

Wolf Dieter Müller,Mónica Alicia Fernández Lorenzo De Mele,Miriam Zeddies,Liliana Mabel Gassa,Maria Lucia Nascimento,Mariana Córsico

doi:10.1590/s1516-14392007000100003

Abstract

Magnesium is potentially useful for orthopaedic and cardiovascular applications. However, the corrosion rate of this metal is so high that its degradation occurs before the end of the healing process. In industrial media the behaviour of several magnesium alloys have been probed to be better than magnesium performance. However, the information related to their corrosion behaviour in biological media is insufficient. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the components of organic fluids on the corrosion behaviour of Mg and AZ31 and LAE442 alloys using potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and EIS techniques. Results showed localized attack in chloride containing media. The breakdown potential decreased when chloride concentration increased. The potential range of the passivation region was extended in the presence of albumin. EIS measurements showed that the corrosion behaviour of the AZ31 was very different from that of LAE442 alloy in chloride solutions.

Highlights

Magnesium and its alloys are light, biodegradable, biocompatible metals that have promising applications as biomaterials[1,2,3,4,5,6]
The aim of this work is to study the influence of the electrolyte composition on the corrosion behaviour of Mg and AZ31 and LAE442 alloys using potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and EIS techniques
Frequently associated to hydrogen formation during corrosion process could be observed on the surface

Summary

Introduction

Magnesium and its alloys are light, biodegradable, biocompatible metals that have promising applications as biomaterials[1,2,3,4,5,6]. A successful osteointegration with an increased bone mass around the magnesium alloys was reported, probably related to the bone cell activation by magnesium. Mechanical properties such as tensile yield strength and Youngs modulus of magnesium ant its alloys are better than those of polymeric implant materials. Their high strength to weight ratio make them extremely attractive for in vivo applications[3,4,5]. The aim of this work is to study the influence of the electrolyte composition on the corrosion behaviour of Mg and AZ31 and LAE442 alloys using potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and EIS techniques

Objectives

Methods

Results