Coating magnesium implants for corrosion protection and biocompatibility

Metallic materials are preferred for implants in orthopedic surgery because of their strength properties, e.g., to treat bone fractures. Due to the risky necessity of a second operation for implant removal, the use of biodegradable materials, such as magnesium (Mg), has become the focus of research and clinical application.

However, such implants made of magnesium alloys are still subject to too rapid degradation. Therefore, an international research team in cooperation with INNOVENT e V. investigated how the corrosion can be controlled by biocompatible coatings, thus improving biocompatibility and degradation properties.

The research results of this project have now been published in the journal "ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces", among others, and can be accessed here: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsami.1c16307?ref=pdf