New Publication in JOM — Evaluating In-Vitro Corrosion Testing of Mg Alloys
🧪 New Publication Alert
Sreenivas’ latest paper has been published in the Journal of the Minerals, Metals & Materials Society (JOM), titled:
“Evaluating In-Vitro Corrosion Testing of ECAP-Processed Lean Magnesium Alloys: The Critical Role of Degradation Media Composition, Buffering, and Volume”
🧭 The Big Idea
Biodegradable magnesium alloys are promising for orthopedic implants, but their corrosion rate is highly sensitive to testing conditions. This paper highlights why we must rethink standard in-vitro testing protocols that use fixed media and volumes.
🔧 What We Did
We investigated a lean Mg-Zn-Ca alloy processed via ECAP and evaluated how degradation media, buffering strategy, and solution volume affect its corrosion behavior. Three widely used media were tested:
- HBSS (with/without CO₂)
- EBSS
- DMEM + 10% FBS
We also tested media volume effects and CO₂ buffering in HBSS, all under ASTM G31 standards.
🌟 Key Findings
- Corrosion rate is not fixed — it varies dramatically with test media
- CO₂ buffering in HBSS lowers corrosion and mimics physiological pH
- DMEM + 10% FBS offers the most realistic in-vitro environment
- Larger solution volumes reduce pH swings and stabilize corrosion rate
- ASTM standards may need revision for biodegradable Mg testing
🔬 Why It Matters
This study shows that test setup matters just as much as alloy chemistry. Without proper control over volume and buffering, test results may mislead implant designers. Our work offers clear guidance for optimizing test protocols that better reflect in-vivo behavior.
A step toward more meaningful corrosion data—and safer, more reliable magnesium implants.
🤝 Collaboration & Impact
This work involved researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Fort Wayne Metals, pushing forward the clinical readiness of magnesium biomaterials.
📄 Citation:
S. Raguraman, et al., JOM, 2025, DOI: 10.1007/s11837-025-07176-7