Surface Degradation Studies of Nanostructured Magnesium Tested in Simulated Body Fluid

Abstract

Magnesium has attracted a lot of attention as a new biodegradable material. The chemical and physical processes, in simulated body fluid (SBF), of magnesium metal were carried out in current research work. Cast magnesium samples with different surface characteristics were prepared which were then placed in SBF for 2, 4 and 8 days. This led to the emergence of hydroxyl apatite coating on surfaces of magnesium. The solution was changed at regular intervals to maintain a pH of 7.6. Other Mg samples were anodized at 40V and 60V to create a uniform layer of oxide on them and then their activity in SBF was contrasted with as cast samples of Mg. It was observed that rate of corrosion varies as the immersion time increases. Magnesium undergoes corrosion and cracks were formed on the surface of the samples. This was attributed to the aggressive corrosive nature of SBF.