The in vitro degradation process and biocompatibility of a ZK60 magnesium alloy with a forsterite-containing micro-arc oxidation coating

Magnesium has attracted much attention as a class of biodegradable metallic biomaterials. In this study, a silicate electrolyte-based micro-arc oxidation (MAO) treatment was adopted to prepare forsterite-containing MAO coatings on a ZK60 magnesium alloy in order to decrease the degradation rate and increase the biological property of the alloy. Four anodization voltages were chosen to prepare the MAO coatings. The cell experiment showed a cytotoxicity of grade 0 for the MAO-coated alloy to L929 cells and the hemolytic ratio was dramatically decreased for the MAO-coated alloy compared with the bare one. The corrosion resistance and the degradation behavior of the MAO-coated ZK60 alloy were studied using drop tests, electrochemical measurements and immersion tests. The results indicate that the MAO coating could effectively decrease the initial degradation rate of the alloy. The corrosion resistance of MAO coating was increased with the elevation of the preparation voltage. A degradation model for ZK60 alloy with a forsterite-containing MAO coating was proposed. Based on the model, the MAO-coated alloy experiences destruction and restoration simultaneously, and the coating fails in a peeling-off mode.