Mechanical Properties and Bio-Corrosion Properties of CaO added ZM21 alloys as Biodegradable Materials

Mg alloys with unique characteristics, such as high specific strength, low density, high corrosion rate, and so on, are regarded as functional and also structural materials. In particular, Mg alloys have attractive points as metal implants due to their good biocompatibility and biodegradability in the bio-environment and similar elastic modulus to that of bone tissue. The purpose of this work was to investigate the mechanical properties and bio-corrosion properties of extruded Mg-2Zn-1Mn-xCaO (x = 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5) alloys. To evaluate the bio-corrosion properties, electrochemical tests were conducted in Hanks' solution at 37 degrees C. The results of tensile and in vitro corrosion tests indicated that the mechanical and biodegradable properties of Mg-2Zn-1Mn-xCaO alloys could be adjusted by controlling the CaO content.