In vitro characterization of anodized magnesium alloy as a potential biodegradable material for biomedical applications

KATUNAR, MARÍA R.; MORENO, JULIETA; MERLO, JULIETA L.; J. MORENO; CANIZO, JESICA; BUCHELLY IMBACHÍ, FRANCISCO; PASTORE, JUAN I.; CERE, SILVIA M.

Formato Virtual

Congreso; XI COLAOB and XVII LASAO XI Latin American Congress of Artificial Organs and Biomaterials; 2021

COLAOB

Metals are increasingly being used to partially or completely restore bone fractures. Biodegradable metals emerged as promissory candidates for fracture fixation devices since they are able to self-degrade in the body environment. The main challenge of the devices is to reach an adequate degradation ratio relative to the bone healing having safe degradation by-products. Magnesium alloys have become popular mainly because they exhibit good biodegradable characteristics (1,2). Although Mg alloys have advantages compared to inert metallic biomaterials, e.g., good mechanical properties and biocompatibility, these alloys also have poor corrosion resistant properties in aggressive solutions (e.g., biological medium) (3). The high degradation rate of Mg in aqueous media releases hydrogen gas, which causes pain and local swelling. In the present work the effects of the anodizing process at constant potential of an extruded Mg-alloy (AZ91D); on surface topography, electrochemical response, hydrogen evolution and cell attachment was assessed with the aim of generating a potential material for fracture fixation.