A systematic investigation of a series of magnesium-calcium binary alloys is presented to reveal the influence of increasing calcium (Ca) additions on the in vitro degradation of magnesium (Mg). Because of its prevalence in structural tissues, Ca is among the most biologically viable additions to orthopedic-intended Mg-based biomaterials. Hence, a fundamental electrochemical study of Ca additions to Mg biomaterials is essential to its continued role as an alloying addition. In this work, in vitro degradation conditions closer to the physiological environment were implemented through the addition of proteins to simulated body fluid and maintenance of a constant pH, with tests conducted using Hanks solution, minimum essential medium (MEM), and MEM containing fetal bovine serum. Alloying with Ca leads to the formation of Mg2Ca intermetallic particles that result in systematically enhanced dissolution kinetics. This observation is rationalized via microelectrochemical tests upon the Mg2Ca intermetallic in isolation, which reveals rapid anodic kinetics. Hence, the extent of Mg-Ca alloy dissolution can be modified depending on the amount of Mg2Ca present, suggesting that Ca can be deployed as a functional addition capable of not only enhancing biodissolution of the alloy, but being able to do this in a systematic, controllable manner depending on its volume fraction. In addition, up to a 3-fold reduction in the corrosion rate is observed with corrosion testing in an albumin-containing medium when compared to Hanks solution, the results highlighting that the use of a physiologically "correct" medium is essential for the in vitro screening of Mg-based alloys suitable for orthopaedic applications.
This research output has an Altmetric Attention Score of 6. This is our high-level measure of the quality and quantity of online attention that it has received. This Attention Score, as well as the ranking and number of research outputs shown below, was calculated when the research output was last mentioned on 22 October 2024.
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Altmetric has tracked 34,427,821 research outputs across all sources so far. This one has received more attention than most of these and is in the 73rd percentile.
So far Altmetric has tracked 1,739 research outputs from this source. They receive a mean Attention Score of 4.5. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 71% of its peers.
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We're also able to compare this research output to 14 others from the same source and published within six weeks on either side of this one. This one has gotten more attention than average, scoring higher than 57% of its contemporaries.
