Effect of Calcium Content on the Microstructure and Degradation of Mg-Ca Binary Alloys potentially used as Orthopedic Biomaterials

摘要

The effect of calcium addition in modifying the microstructural aspects and corrosion behavior was investigated on two different biodegradable magnesium alloys type Mg-xCa binary alloys (x = 0.8, 1.8 wt. (%)). Systematic microstructure investigations was made using optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray. Following these experimental investigations, in the microstructure of the investigated Mg-Ca alloys a notable refinement was observed occurred with increasing the calcium content. The evaluation of corrosion resistance was performed both using electrochemical measurements and hydrogen release in simulated body fluid (SBF), as proposed by Kokubo and his colleagues, maintaining the temperature at 37°C. The results showed a lower corrosion resistance when the calcium content was increased, due to the increased Mg_2Ca intermetallic phase in grain boundaries. Consequently, our preliminary results showed that MgCa0.8 alloy having a minimal amount of Mg_2Ca appear to be a promising alloy to be used as a biomaterial for orthopedic implants.