Improve corrosion resistance of magnesium in simulated body fluid by dicalcium phosphate dihydrate coating

A dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD) coating composed of bar-shaped crystals was deposited on the surface of magnesium in order to slow down the corrosion rate of the substrate. The corrosion resistance of the DCPD-coated specimens was evaluated in a simulated body fluid (SBF) with uncoated specimens as a control. Time-dependent characteristics of specimens and the corresponding SBF were analyzed at 3, 5, 7, 14 and 21 days of immersion. Less weight loss and pH increase were observed for the coated group than the uncoated group. The coating was intact after 3 days of immersion although its dissolution was manifested by XRD examination. Noticeable DCPD dissolution occurred at the 5th day accompanied by a temporary increase in Ca and P concentrations in SBF which otherwise kept decreasing. Despite the dissolution of the coating, some DCPD particles were still observed on the surface of the substrate after 21 days of immersion. In contrast to the coated specimens, a porous layer of Mg(OH)2 was formed on the surface of uncoated specimens at the 5th day of immersion. It was found that the corrosion rate of the coated group was substantially lower than that of the control.