Selective degradation characteristics of SILVER-CLAD MAGNESIUM alloy biodegradable implants with for osteosynthesis applications

Abstract

Biodegradable implants present significant challenges that hinder their widespread clinical application despite their potential benefits. Key issues include inconsistent degradation rates, insufficient mechanical strength, and the risk of inflammatory responses. These challenges must be addressed to enhance the efficacy and safety of biodegradable implants. This study focuses on the selective degradation behavior of a magnesium-zinc-zirconium-neodymium alloy coated with a silver layer of 200-300 and 500 nm in thickness. The material is proposed for manufacturing biodegradable implants intended for bone fracture treatment. According to the results of potential-dynamic studies of samples in the Ringer-Locke solution, it was found that its corrosion potential was -1.444 and -1.466 V, and the corrosion current density was 0.5012 and 0.3981 mA/cm2, respectively. The observed corrosion behavior of the studied samples is attributed to the distinctive characteristics of selective degradation occurring in areas of localized corrosion damage. It was shown that the surface of the corrosion damage of a sample with a coating thickness of 500 nm was enriched with zinc. For the sample with a 200-300 nm coating, the localized corrosion area also became enriched in zinc, while the remaining elements dissolved in the following sequence: magnesium, zirconium, silver, and neodymium.