In Vivo Corrosion of Two Novel Magnesium Alloys ZEK100 and AX30 and Their Mechanical Suitability as Biodegradable Implants

Materials

Tim Andreas Huehnerschulte²  Nina Angrisani²  Dina Rittershaus²  Dirk Bormann³  Henning Windhagen¹ 

[1] Department of Orthopedics, Hannover Medical School, Anna-von-Borries Straße 11, 30167 Hannover, Germany; E-Mail:;University of Veterinary Medicine Hannover Foundation, Small Animal Clinic, Buenteweg 9, 30559 Hannover, Germany; E-Mails:;Institute of Materials Science, Hannover Center for Production Technology, University of Hannover, An der Universität 2, 30823 Garbsen, Germany; E-Mail:

关键词: biodegradation;    magnesium alloy;    mechanical stability;    animal model;    µ computed tomography;   

DOI  :  10.3390/ma4061144

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

In magnesium alloys, the components used modify the alloy properties. For magnesium implants in contact with bone, rare earths alloys are commonly examined. These were shown to have a higher corrosion resistance than other alloys and a high mechanical strength, but their exact composition is hard to predict. Therefore a reduction of their content could be favorable. The alloys ZEK100 and AX30 have a reduced content or contain no rare earths at all. The aim of the study was to investigate their in vivo degradation and to assess the suitability of the in vivo µCT for the examination of their corrosion. Implants were inserted in rabbit tibiae. Clinical examinations, X-rays and in vivo µCT scans were done regularly. Afterwards implants were analyzed with REM, electron dispersive X-ray (EDX), weighing and mechanical testing. The in vivo µCT is of great advantage, because it allows a quantification of the corrosion rate and qualitative 3D assessment of the corrosion morphology. The location of the implant has a remarkable effect on the corrosion rate. Due to its mechanical characteristics and its corrosion behavior, ZEK100 was judged to be suitable, while AX30, which displays favorable degradation behavior, has too little mechanical strength for applications in weight bearing bones.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2011 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.