A mechanistic study of in vitro degradation of magnesium alloy using electrochemical techniques.

To understand the in vitro degradation mechanism of magnesium alloy, electrochemical experiments viz., electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and potentiodynamic polarization, were carried out on AZ91 magnesium alloy under different experimental conditions. The study suggests: (i) the body temperature decreases significantly the corrosion resistance of the alloy, (ii) alkali-treatment of the alloy enhances the corrosion resistance, and (iii) although chloride in simulated body fluid minimizes the corrosion resistance, the presence of other constituents viz., phosphate, calcium, and carbonate, enhances the film forming tendency and hence increases the corrosion resistance of the alloy.