INFLUENCE OF DIFFERENT TREATMENTS ON THE CORROSION BEHAVIOUR OF AN Fe-BASED BIODEGRADABLE ALLOY

Biodegradable alloys are required for medical applications involving temporary implants that must last for a certain time. Fe-based alloys were produced to last longer than Mg- or Zn-based alternatives, while retaining a biodegradable characteristic so that no additional operation is necessary to remove the implant. The investigation of commonly used Fe-based alloys was directed towards a better corrosion resistance, while our aim was to produce a material that will corrode easily, but would initially still have mechanical properties like Fe-based materials. This aim was achieved by using different production steps, and the corrosion properties were found to be dependent on modifications to the microstructure.