Influence of various sterilization methods on hardness, grain size and corrosion rate of a Mg6Ag-alloy

Abstract

Sterilization is a necessary step for all implant materials. Different methods can influence the materials properties. Especially important for magnesium as degradable materials is the determination of the corrosion properties. In this study the influence of 70% ethanol, glutaraldehyde, autoclaving, dry heat, UV-, gamma- and electron beam-irradiation on mechanical and corrosion parameters were analyzed. As mechanical parameters hardness and grain size were determined. The corrosion rate under physiological conditions, weight of the corrosion layer and corrosion morphology was determined. It could be demonstrated that irradiation treatments and 70% ethanol are suitable methods, as they decrease the corrosion rate. Heat-introducing methods (autoclaving and dry heat) acted as incomplete ageing treatments on this alloy and therefore increased the corrosion rate. Furthermore, osmolality showed a better correlation to the actual corrosion rate than the pH. Therefore an optimum ratio between alloying system, implant and sterilization method has to be established, depending on the intended application.