Mathan, M. Bobby (2007) Laser treated magnesium-based alloy: A potential candidate for biodegradable implants. Hong Kong Institution of Engineers Transactions, 14 (4). pp. 1-4.

PDF (Published Version) Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to show that laser treated magnesium-based alloys can be a potential candidate for biodegradable implants. Magnesium alloys are biocompatible, lightweight and have good mechanical properties. The poor corrosion resistance of magnesium-based alloys can be advantageously used as biodegradable implants. However, the key issue is that, magnesium corrosion is too high in the physiological system which deteriorates the mechanical integrity of the alloy very rapidly. This study explores the possibility of enhancing the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy (AZ31) through laser treatment, which has an advantage of unaltering the bulk chemical composition and thus the mechanical property is not compromised. Electrochemical polarisation experiments, showed increment in general corrosion resistance for laser treated alloy. High pitting corrosion resistance of laser treated alloy was observed in the salt spray tests. The stress corrosion cracking resistance was also significantly higher in the laser treated alloy as compared to the untreated alloy. The higher corrosion resistance in the laser treated alloy is attributed to the fine grain size, uniform distribution of the secondary phase particles along the grain boundary and aluminium enrichment on the surface. The study shows that suitable biodegradable magnesium-based orthopaedic implants can be achieved through laser treatment.

Item ID:	9630
Item Type:	Article (Research - C1)
ISSN:	1023-697X
Keywords:	magnesium alloys, biomaterials, orthopaedic implants, corrosion resistance
Date Deposited:	28 Apr 2010 03:19
FoR Codes:	09 ENGINEERING > 0903 Biomedical Engineering > 090301 Biomaterials @ 100%
SEO Codes:	86 MANUFACTURING > 8611 Basic Metal Products (incl. Smelting, Rolling, Drawing and Extruding) > 861199 Basic Metal Products (incl. Smelting, Rolling, Drawing and Extruding) not elsewhere classified @ 100%
Downloads:	Total: 2
	More Statistics