Exfoliation of an extruded Mg-4Li-1Ca alloy in presence of glucose and bovine serum albumin

Exfoliation corrosion (EFC) on extruded Mg-4Li-1Ca alloys as bone implant materials has not been reported. This study aimed to elucidate the degradation mechanism of a corrosion type-exfoliation occurred on an extruded Mg-4Li-1Ca alloy under the interaction of glucose (Glu) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) in Hank’s solution. The alloy microstructure, chemical composition, texture, stress distribution and Volta potential maps were characterized using metallographic microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and electron backscattered diffraction, and scanning Kelvin Probe. The alloy corrosion behavior was investigated via electrochemical testing and hydrogen evolution rate methods. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, X-ray photoelectron spectrometer, and fluorescence microscopy were used to analyze the corrosion products and the adsorption of the organic molecules. The experimental results indicated that the anodic second phase (Mg2Ca) were distributed in lamellar and rod-like patterns along the extrusion direction of the alloy, a lower Volta potential for Mg2Ca, texture and residual stresses also promote EFC. An increase in Glu concentration exacerbated the EFC, whereas BSA inhibited the EFC of the alloy. Higher Glu concentrations in BSA in turn inhibited EFC since Glu can complex with amino acids in proteins to form Glu-amino acid amides, which promoted protein adsorption and thereby forming a dense protective film on the alloy surface. The preferential dissolution of the Mg2Ca phase particles led to the complexation and adsorption of Glu and protein. This study enriches the understanding of the corrosion types in biomedical Mg-4Li-1Ca alloy and paving the way for enhancing the EFC resistance of the alloy.