Mg-Zn-Y alloys with long-period stacking ordered structure: in vitro assessments of biodegradation behavior

Using Dulbecco's modified eagle medium (DMEM) with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) as simulated body fluid, degradation behavior of Mg100-3x(Zn1Y2)x (1≤x≤3) alloy series with long period stacking order (LPSO) structures was investigated. As indicated, with increasing the volume fraction of LPSO phase, degradation rate of the alloys is accelerated. Further refining the grain size by microalloying with zirconium and warm extrusion has a significant effect to mitigate the degradation rate of the Mg97Zn1Y2 alloy. Time-dependent behavior during degradation of the magnesium alloys can be described using an exponential decay function of WR=exp(a+bt+ct(2)), where WR is normalized residual mass/volume of the alloy. A parameter named as degradation half-life period (t0.5) is suggested to quantitatively assess the degradation rate. For the localized-corrosion controlled alloys, the t0.5 parameter physically scales with electrochemical response ΔE which is a range between corrosion potential (Ecorr) and pitting potential (Ept). In comparison with conventional engineering magnesium alloys such as the AZ31, WE43, ZK60 and ZX60 alloys, extruded Mg96.83Zn1Y2Zr0.17 alloy with LPSO structure exhibits a good combination of high mechanical strength, lower biodegradation rate and good biocompatibility.