Mechanical properties, corrosion, and biocompatibility of Mg‐Zr‐Sr‐Dy alloys for biodegradable implant applications

This study investigates the microstructure, mechanical properties, corrosion behavior, and biocompatibility of magnesium (Mg)‐based Mg1Zr2SrxDy (x = 0, 1, 1.63, 2.08 wt %) alloys for biodegradable implant applications. The corrosion behavior of the Mg‐based alloys has been evaluated in simulated body fluid using an electrochemical technique and hydrogen evolution. The biocompatibility of the Mg‐based alloys has been assessed using SaSO2 cells. Results indicate that the addition of Dy to Mg‐Zr‐Sr alloy showed a positive impact on the corrosion behavior and significantly decreased the degradation rates of the alloys. The degradation rate of Mg1Zr2Sr1.0Dy decreased from 17.61 to 12.50 mm year⁻¹ of Mg1Zr2Sr2.08Dy based on the hydrogen evolution. The ultimate compressive strength decreased from 270.90 MPa for Mg1Zr2Sr1Dy to 236.71 MPa for Mg1Zr2Sr2.08Dy. An increase in the addition of Dy to the Mg‐based alloys resulted in an increase in the volume fraction of the Mg₂Dy phase, which mitigated the galvanic effect between the Mg₁₇Sr₂ phase and the Mg matrix, and led to an increase in the corrosion resistance of the base alloy. The biocompatibility of the Mg‐based alloys was enhanced with decreasing corrosion rates. Mg1Zr2Sr2.08Dy exhibited the lowest corrosion rate and the highest biocompatibility compared with the other Mg‐based alloys. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 106B: 2425–2434, 2018.