Interactions between aggressive ions and the surface of a magnesium-yttrium alloy

Magnesium alloys possess many desirable properties for biodegradable orthopedic implants. Unfortunately, magnesium degrades too rapidly in vivo. This rapid degradation reduces the alloys´ mechanical properties and increases the alkalinity of the local environment. Controlling the degradation rate and mode is an essential step in the development of magnesium based biomaterials. Accomplishing this essential step will require an improved understanding of magnesium alloy degradation. Herein, three interacting factors controlling magnesium degradation were investigated; (1) alloy composition, (2) alloy surface, (3) presence of aggressive ions in the immersion media. The magnesium-yttrium alloy was more susceptible to degradation in water than the high purity magnesium alloy. However, the polished surface magnesium-yttrium alloy had the least susceptibility to degradation in phosphate buffered saline (PBS) among all the sample compositions and surfaces.