Abstract
Magnesium has attracted considerable medical interest due to its mechanical properties being similar to bone. In addition, magnesium is also biocompatible and biodegradable, which makes it an ideal candidate for biodegradable orthopaedic implants. However, magnesium’s high corrosion rate in body fluids makes it an unsuitable material for the manufacture of implants. The present study investigates a straightforward chemical immersion technique that deposits di-calcium phosphate dehydrate (DCPD) coatings onto magnesium substrates to increase their corrosion resistance to body simulated fluids like phosphate buffer saline solution and Ringer’s solution. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the coating structures and morphologies were characterised by flower-like surface feature that were resistant to both body simulated fluids. Thus, indicating the coatings could significantly reduce magnesium corrosion rates in the body environment.
Highlights
A variety of materials have been used to manufacture orthopaedic implants for many years
The present scanning electron microscopy (SEM) study evaluated the effectiveness of di-calcium phosphate dehydrate (DCPD) coatings to improve corrosion resistance and slow down degradation rates of Mg substrates
Highlighting the need to slow down the corrosion rate, which has been identified as the major hurdle preventing the use of Mg to produce orthopaedic implants [12, 15]
Summary
A variety of materials have been used to manufacture orthopaedic implants for many years. Biocompatible polymers have a wide range of desirable properties that can be varied during the synthesis process [1]. They have low physical strength compared to both ceramic and metallic implants. Bioceramics have good strength, chemical stability and can promote osteointegration in bone tissue engineering. They are brittle and have low fracture toughness. Under changing and fluctuating loads metallic materials display superior properties such as greater ductility, higher strength, greater fracture toughness and useful anticorrosion properties [4, 5]. After the healing period an additional surgical procedure is needed to remove the implant, which can increase the risk of infection and produce further patient scarring [9]
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