Surface Characterization of AZ31 Alloy after Long-Term Immersion in Simulated Body Fluid

Ekaterina Pakhomova; Alessandra Varone; Alessio Mezzi; Alessandra Fava; Cristina Manis; Francesco Loy; Alessandra Palombi; Giacomo Cao

doi:10.3390/cryst13121692

Crystals (Dec 2023)

Surface Characterization of AZ31 Alloy after Long-Term Immersion in Simulated Body Fluid

Ekaterina Pakhomova,
Alessandra Varone,
Alessio Mezzi,
Alessandra Fava,
Cristina Manis,
Francesco Loy,
Alessandra Palombi,
Giacomo Cao

Affiliations

Ekaterina Pakhomova: Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, CA, Italy
Alessandra Varone: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
Alessio Mezzi: ISMN-CNR, Strada Provinciale 35/d n. 9, 00010 Montelibretti, RM, Italy
Alessandra Fava: ENEA, Department for Sustainability—Research Centre of Casaccia, Santa Maria di Galeria, 00123 Rome, RM, Italy
Cristina Manis: Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, s.p. 8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
Francesco Loy: Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, Cittadella Universitaria, s.p. 8, 09042 Monserrato, CA, Italy
Alessandra Palombi: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via del Politecnico 1, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
Giacomo Cao: Department of Mechanical, Chemical and Materials Engineering, University of Cagliari, Via Marengo 2, 09123 Cagliari, CA, Italy

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst13121692
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13, no. 12
p. 1692

Abstract

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The aim of the research campaign was to simulate in vitro the typical conditions for the corrosion in biofluid of a femoral bone implant manufactured with AZ31 alloy. The samples were immersed in biofluid (alpha-MEM) for time intervals of up to 56 days. For each immersion time, the chemical compositions and morphologies of the samples were studied with SEM, EDX, XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and XPS. The weight losses of the samples caused by corrosion were also measured. The results highlighted the formation of calcium phosphate crystals on the surface of the samples. This type of coating is well-known for its excellent corrosion resistance and for its ability to accelerate tissue regeneration. The deceleration of the corrosion process, observed after 28 days of immersion in biofluid, confirms the anti-corrosive effect of the coating that was spontaneously formed during the immersion tests.

Published in Crystals

ISSN: 2073-4352 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Science: Chemistry: Crystallography
Website: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/crystals/

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