J Mater Sci Technol ›› 2012, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (3): 261-267.

• Regular Papers • Previous Articles     Next Articles

In Vivo and In Vitro Degradation Behavior of Magnesium Alloys as Biomaterials

Dingchuan Xue1), Yeoheung Yun2), Zongqing Tan3), Zhongyun Dong3), Mark J. Schulz4)   

  1. 1) Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
    2) Department of Bioengineering, North Carolina A & T State University, Greensboro, NC 27411, USA
    3) Department of Internal Medicine, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
    4) Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Cincinnati, OH 45221, USA
  • Received:2011-07-14 Revised:2011-09-26 Online:2012-03-31 Published:2012-03-31
  • Contact: Dingchuan Xue

Abstract: The corrosion behavior of pure Mg, AZ31, and AZ91D were evaluated in various in vitro and in vivo environments to investigate the potential application of these metals as biodegradable implant materials. DC polarization tests and immersion tests were performed in different simulated body solutions, such as distilled (DI) water, simulated body fluid (SBF) and phosphate buffered solution (PBS). Mg/Mg alloys were also implanted in different places in a mouse for in vivo weight loss and biocompatibility investigations. The in vivo subcutis bio-corrosion rate was lower than the corrosion rate for all of the in vitro simulated corrosive environments. The Mg/Mg alloys were biocompatible based on histology results for the liver, heart, kidney, skin and lung of the mouse during the two months implantation. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were carried out to investigate the morphology and topography of Mg/Mg alloys after immersion testing and implantation to understand the corrosion mechanisms.

Key words: Mg/Mg alloys, In vitro/in vivo testing, Bio-degradation rate, Biocompatibility