Project Director

Ibrahim, Hamdy

Department Examiner

Mahtabi Oghani, Mohammad Javad, 1982-

Department

Dept. of Mechanical Engineering

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

Magnesium alloys are the most promising materials to be used as biodegradable implants mainly due to their superior biocompatibility and lower specific density compared to other biodegradable metals (i.e., zinc and iron-based alloys). This study is investigating the effect of two different manufacturing methods and purity levels on the corrosion rates of a novel Mg-Zn-Ca-Mn-based alloy. Experimental in vitro corrosion tests were conducted on the biocompatible Mg-Zn-Ca-Mn-based alloy fabricated using conventional casting and hot rolling with low and high purity levels. The experimental research conducted, assessed the corrosion rates of the following Mg-1.2Zn-0.5Ca-0.5Mn-based alloys: Hot Rolled High Purity, As-Cast High Purity, As-Cast Low Purity, and Commercial Pure Magnesium. This was done using two testing methods, in vitro corrosion immersion testing and in vitro electrochemical testing. By doing so, the experiments aid in assessing how different purity levels or different manufacturing methods affect corrosion behavior. It was hypothesized that when comparing two magnesium-based alloys fabricated using different levels of purity, the high purity alloy would demonstrate a slower corrosion rate. Based on electrochemical testing and immersion testing, the hypothesis was proven to be true. It was also hypothesized that an alloy fabricated with a thermomechanical process would show slower corrosion rates than the as-cast ones. Based on electrochemical testing, this was proven to be false. Based on immersion testing, this was proven to be true, which provides more reliable data for corrosion rates. Data gathered aided in assessing corrosion rates of differently fabricated magnesium-based alloys. Further experiments should be conducted to determine the most desirable magnesium-based alloy fabrication.

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the use of technological, computational, machine, and human resources provides by the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Additionally, Dr. Hamdy Ibrahim for his guidance and patience during the whole process. I would like to acknowledge my fellow research partner, Shelby Hash, who has been very helpful and supportive throughout the extent of the experimental work. Additional thanks to Dr. Mohammad Mahtabi for his presence as an additional examiner. Additional thanks to the resources provided by Ben Swords, Andrea James, Dr. Harris Bradley, and many other. Without such tremendous support this thesis would not be possible.

Degree

B. S.; An honors thesis submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Bachelor of Science.

Date

5-2022

Name

Magnesium alloys--Corrosion; Orthopedic implants

Keyword

biodegradable; orthopedic; corrosion; magnesium alloys

Discipline

Biomechanical Engineering

Document Type

Theses

Extent

23 unnumbered leaves

DCMI Type

Text

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/3.0/

Date Available

5-2-2022

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