In vitro corrosion and biocompatibility of coated MgCa1.O magnesium alloys

As bio-absorbable implant material the magnesium alloy Mg-1Ca is able to degrade invivo. The mechanical properties of this alloy are similar to those of human bone; both Mg and Ca are essential elements in human body. The main problem is the high corrosion rate of this alloy. Two coating systems based on plasma-chemical oxidation and an organic dip coating are applied onto MgCal.O magnesium alloy in order to slow down the corrosion rate. The corrosion behaviour of the coated alloys was investigated with electrochemical noise measurements. The influence of hydrogen evolution and increasing pH-value on the cytotoxicity was examined. The results of these investigations suggest that a combination of both coating systems leads to promising degradation properties.