Corrosion of magnesium and magnesium –calcium alloy in biologically-simulated environment

A study of biocompatibility and corrosion of both metallic magnesium(Mg) and a magnesium alloy containing 1% calcium(Mg–Ca) were investigated in in vitro culture conditions with and without the presence of bone marrow derived human mesenchymal stem cells(h MSCs).Chemical analysis of the degraded samples was performed using XRD and FEGSEM. The results from the XRD analysis strongly suggested that crystalline phase of magnesium carbonate was present on the surface of both the Mg and Mg–Ca samples. Flame absorption spectrometry was used to analyse the release of magnesium and calcium ions into the cell culture medium. Magnesium concentration was kept consistently at a level ranging from 40 to 80 m M for both Mg and Mg–Ca samples. No cell growth was observed when in direct contact with the metals apart from a few cells observed at the bottom of culture plate containing Mg–Ca alloy. In general, in vitro study of corrosion of Mg–Ca in a biologicallysimulated environment using cell culture medium with the presence of h MSCs demonstrated close resemblances to in vivo corrosion. Although in vitro corrosion of Mg–Ca revealed slow corrosion rate and no immediate cytotoxicity effects to h MSCs, its corrosion rate was still too high to achieve normal stem cell growth when cells and alloys were cultured in vitro in direct contact.     

摩擦表面合金化法开发一种 Mg–Zn 表面合金:模拟体液中的体外降解研究

A new variant of friction-assisted process named friction surface alloying (FSA) for developing surface alloys was demonstrated in the present work. In FSA, the dispersed phase is melted and allowed to react with the matrix material to form an alloy at the surface of a metallic substrate. In the present work, magnesium (Mg) sheets and zinc (Zn) powder were selected, and fine grained (~3.5 μm) Mg–Zn surface alloy with improved hardness was produced by FSA. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of intermetallic phases of Mg and Zn at the surface. From the in vitro degradation studies carried out by immersing in simulated body fluids, a lower corrosion rate was observed for the Mg–Zn surface alloy compared with pure Mg. The surface morphologies after immersion studies indicated large degraded areas on the base Mg compared with Mg–Zn. The results demonstrate the potential of FSA in developing Mg-based surface alloys without melting the substrate to impart better surface properties.     

Developing Mg–Zn surface alloy by friction surface allosying: In vitro degradation studies in simulated body fluids

A new variant of friction-assisted process named friction surface alloying(FSA) for developing surface alloys was demonstrated in the present work. In FSA, the dispersed phase is melted and allowed to react with the matrix material to form an alloy at the surface of a metallic substrate. In the present work, magnesium(Mg) sheets and zinc(Zn) powder were selected, and fine grained(～3.5 μm) Mg–Zn surface alloy with improved hardness was produced by FSA. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed the formation of intermetallic phases of Mg and Zn at the surface. From the in vitro degradation studies carried out by immersing in simulated body fluids, a lower corrosion rate was observed for the Mg–Zn surface alloy compared with pure Mg. The surface morphologies after immersion studies indicated large degraded areas on the base Mg compared with Mg–Zn. The results demonstrate the potential of FSA in developing Mg-based surface alloys without melting the substrate to impart better surface properties.     

Synergistic effect of trace elements and flavonoids from Epimedium koreanum Nakai on primary osteoblasts

Several trace elements, particularly, manganese （Mn） and zinc （Zn）, are essential in bone metabolism as cofactors for specific enzymes. It has been reported that there exists the relationship between osteoporosis and trace element-deficiency and the efficacy of Ca, Mn and Zn supplementation on spinal bone mineral density in postmenopausal women. Traditional Chinese medicines （TCM）, such as Herba epimedii, were proved to be effective for prevention of osteoprosis in vivo; however, the efficacy of the main constituents and/or crude extract was not ideal in vitro, which suggested that they may work in another way. The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the combination of icariin and total flavonoids （TF） from Herba epimedii with mineral elements, which were abundant in Herba epimedii, would have a more beneficial effect on the viability and differentiation of primary osteoblasts than either agent alone, and to analyze the dada for a possible synergistic, additive or antagonistic effect. The combinations of 10 μmol/L Zn, Ca and Mn with icariin and total flavonoids greatly improved the cell viability and meanwhile dramatically enhanced the alkaline phosphatase activity as compared to each agent alone. On the other hand, an increased cell growth inhibition was also observed by combining 0.1 μmol/L, 1 pmol/L Zn with 10μmol/L icariin, and 10 μmol/L Mn with 0.06 μg/mL total flavonoids. Meanwhile a decreased alkaline phosphatase activity was also found in several icariin-Zn/Mn and total flavonoids-Zn/Ca/Mn combinations. These results suggested that mineral elements （Zn, Ca, Mn） greatly enhanced the efficacy of icariin and total flavonoids from Herba epimedii on the viability and differentiation of primary osteoblasts by certain combinations.     

Corrosion mechanism of micro-arc oxidation treated biocompatible AZ31 magnesium alloy in simulated body fluid

The rapid degradation of magnesium(Mg) based alloys has prevented their further use in orthopedic trauma fixation and vascular intervention,and therefore it is essential to investigate the corrosion mechanism for improving the corrosion resistance of these alloys. In this work, the effect of applied voltage on the surface morphology and the corrosion behavior of micro-arc oxidation(MAO) with different voltages were carried out to obtain biocompatible ceramic coatings on AZ31 Mg alloy. The effects of applied voltage on the surface morphology and the corrosion behavior of MAO samples in the simulated body fluid(SBF) were studied systematically. Scanning electron microscope(SEM) and X-ray diffractometer(XRD)were employed to characterize the morphologies and phase compositions of coating before and after corrosion. The results showed that corrosion resistance of the MAO coating obtained at 250 V was better than the others in SBF. The dense layer of MAO coating and the corrosion precipitation were the key factors for corrosion behavior. The corrosion of precipitation Mg(OH)2and the calcium phosphate(Ca–P) minerals on the surface of MAO coatings could enhance their corrosion resistance effectively. In addition, the mechanism of MAO coated Mg alloys was proposed.     

Effects of solidifi cation cooling rate on the corrosion resistance of Mg – Zn–Ca alloy

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of solidification cooling rate on the corrosion resistance of an Mg–Zn–Ca alloy developed for biomedical applications. A wedge shaped copper mould was used to obtain different solidification cooling rates. Electrochemical and immersion tests were employed to measure the corrosion resistance of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy. It was found that increasing cooling rate resulted in a significant improvement in the corrosion resistance of the Mg–Zn–Ca alloy. The findings were explained in terms of solidification behaviour in association with the change in solubility of the alloying elements, microstructural homogeneity and refinement and chemical homogeneity as well as the increased cooling rates.     

Hot deformation behavior andfl ow stress modeling of annealed AZ61 Mg alloys

In this study, the hyperbolic-sine type constitutive equation was used to model the flow stress of annealed AZ61 magnesium(Mg) alloys. Hot compression tests were conducted at the temperatures ranging from 250 1C to 450 1C and at the strain rates ranging from 1 10–3s 1to 1 s 1on a Gleeble-3500 thermo-simulation machine. Constitutive equations as a function of strain were established through a simple extension of the hyperbolic sine constitutive relation. The effects of annealing heat treatments on the variations in constitutive parameters with strain were discussed. The hot compressive flow curves exhibited typical features of dynamic recrystallization. Multiple peak flow curves were observed in the annealed specimens upon testing at a strain rate of 1 10 1s–1and at various temperatures. Variations in constitutive parameters with strain were related to flow behavior and dependent on the initial conditions of the test specimens. The flow stresses of annealed AZ61 Mg alloys were predicted well by the strain-dependent constitutive equations of the hyperbolic sine function under the deformation conditions employed in this study.     

Corrosion behavior of as-cast Mg–8Li–3Al+xCe alloy in 3.5wt% NaCl solution

Mg–8Li–3Al+xCe alloys (x = 0.5wt%, 1.0wt%, and 1.5wt%) were prepared through a casting route in an electric resistance furnace under a controlled atmosphere. The cast alloys were characterized by X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The corrosion behavior of the as-cast Mg–8Li–3Al+xCe alloys were studied under salt spray tests in 3.5wt% NaCl solution at 35°C, in accordance with standard ASTM B–117, in conjunction with potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) tests. The results show that the addition of Ce to Mg–8Li–3Al (LA83) alloy results in the formation of Al₂Ce intermetallic phase, refines both the α-Mg phase and the Mg₁₇Al₁₂ intermetallic phase, and then increases the microhardness of the alloys. The results of PDP and salt spray tests reveal that an increase in Ce content to 1.5wt% decreases the corrosion rate. The best corrosion resistance is observed for the LA83 alloy sample with 1.0wt% Ce.     

Effect of Sr on microstructure and aging behavior of Mg–14Li alloys

The as-cast and as-extruded Mg–14 wt%Li–x Sr ( x=0.14, 0.19, 0.39 wt%) alloys were,respectively, prepared through a simple alloying process and hot extrusion. The effects of Sr addition on microstructure and aging behavior of the Mg–14 wt%Li–xSr alloys were studied. The results indicated that β(Li) and Mg2Sr were the two primary phases in the microstructures of both as-cast and as-extruded Mg–14 wt%Li–xSr alloys. Interestingly, with the increase of Sr content from 0.14 wt% to 0.39 wt%, the grain sizes of the as-cast and as-extruded Mg–14 wt%Li–xSr alloys markedly decreased from 5000mm and 38mm to 330 mm and 22mm respectively, while no obvious changes of the micro-hardness and microstructure of the as-extruded alloys were observed during the aging treatment.     

Investigation on apoptosis of neuronal cells induced by Amyloid beta-Protein

Objective: To construct a PC12 cell strain with neuronal differentiation, and observe the apoptosis and pro-liferation activity effects induced these cells by Amyloid beta-Protein (Aβ3-43). Methods: 1) PC12 cells in logarithmic growth phase were subcultured for 24 h. After the culture fluid was changed, the cells were treated with Rat-β-NGF and cultured for 9 days. 2) Neuronal differentiation of PC 12 cells in logarithmic growth phase were divided into four groups:control group (0), experimental group (1), experimental group (2) and experimental group (3). The concentrations of Aβ in the four groups were 0 μmol/L, 1.25 μmol/L, 2.5 μmol/L and 5 μmol/L, respectively. The cells were harvested at 24, 48 and 72 h later and stained with AnnexinV-FITC/PI after centrifugation and washing. Then flow cytometry was conducted to examine the apoptosis percentage. 3) NGF-induced PC12 cells were selected and Aβ with different concentrations was added. The final concentrations of Aβ were 0 μmol/L, 1.25 μmol/L, 2.5 μmol/L and 5 μmol/L, respectively. After the cells were incubated in an atmosphere of 5% CO2 at 37 ℃ in an incubator for 72 h, the OD values were examined. Results: 1)Neuronal differentiated PC12 cell lines were successfully established. 2) Flow cytometric examination indicated that Aβ(1.25, 2.5, and 5.0 μmol/L) could effectively induce apoptosis of neuronal-differented cells at the 24 h, 48 h and 72 h time points. 3) Aβ (0-5.00 μmol/L) had no obvious effect on proliferation or restraining of the neuronal differentiation of the PC 12 cells after a 72 h interacting process. Conclusion: This investigation revealed successful neuronal differentiation of the PC12 cell strain. The induction of apoptosis of the neurocytes by various concentrations of Aβ was observed and the in-fluence of Aβ on induced proliferation of PC 12 cells by Rat-β-NGF was revealed. This study may provide basis for future research on the molecular cure of AD and interdiction of AD evolution.     

Effect of Mn content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Li–4Zn-xMn alloys

The as-cast Mg–6Li–4Zn-x Mn alloys were prepared and extruded at 280℃ with an extrusion ratio of 25:1. The effects of Mn content on the microstructure and mechanical properties of Mg–6Li–4Zn-x Mn alloys were investigated in this study. The XRD results show that Mg–6Li–4Zn–x Mn alloys consisted of α-Mg(hcp) + β-Li(bcc)duplex structured matrix, Mg Li₂Zn and Mn phases. The grains of the extruded Mg–6Li–4Zn–x Mn alloys were refined by dynamic recrystallization during the extrusion process...     

Effects of genistein, daidzein and glycitein on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells and on the adipogenic trans-differentiation of osteoblasts

The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and oil red O assays were used to examine the effects of genistein, daidzein and glycitein on the osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) and the adipogenic trans-differentiation of primary mouse osteoblasts. The results indicated that daidzein, genistein and glycitein at concentrations from 1×10^-8 mol/L to 1×10^-5 mol/L promoted the proliferation of MSCs and osteoblasts; genistein, daidzein and glycitein promoted osteogenic differentiation and inhibited adipogenic differentiation of MSCs, and inhibited adipocytic transdifferentiation of osteoblasts at appropriate concentrations as 17β-estradiol. It suggests that genistein, daidzein and glycitein regulate a dual differentiational process of MSCs into the osteogenic and adipogenic lineages, and trans-differentiational process of primary osteoblasts into the adipocyte lineages, causing a lineage shift toward osteoblast. Protective effects of them on bone may be mediated by a reversal of adipogenesis which may promote the proliferation, differentiation and mineralization of osteoblasts, and make adipocytes secrete less cytokines which may promote osteoclast formation and activation. In addition, the results also indicated that genistein, daidzein and glycitein may be helpful in preventing the development of steroid induced osteonecrosis.     

Physiological responses of osteoblasts to cyclic stretching and the change of intracellular calcium concentration

The development of bone tissues is regulated by mechanical stimulation.Cyclic stretching was applied to the osteoblasts that were delivered from rat calvarie,The results showed that stretching at 500με increased the cell proliferation while loading at 1000με and 1500με inhabited cell growth ,Loading also increased the adhesive force between cells and substrate as well as spreading areas of osteobalsts.Furthermore,the fluorescence probe Fluo-3/AM was used to investigate the effect of stretching stimulation on the intracellular calcium concentration of osteoblasts.The intracellular calcium concentration of osteoblasts that were stretched at 500 με for 5 min was 92.9% higher than the control ,After being treated with the panax ontoginseng saponins,the streteched osteoblasts still expressed 28.6% higher intracellular calcium concentration than that of the control ,which proved that both the influx of extracellualr calcium and the release of intracellular calcium store were involved in the increase of intracellular calcium concentration when osteoblasts responded to the cyclic stretching And the influx of extracellular calcium through transmembrance channel played a main role.     

Effects of icosahedral phase formation on the microstructure and mechanical improvement of Mg alloys: A review

Icosahedral phase (I-phase) is a relatively excellent strengthening phase in Mg alloys. Depending on their volume fraction, the yield strength of Mg–Zn–Y–Zr alloys can vary from 150 to 450 MPa at room temperature. Recently, the formation of I-phase has been considered as one of the most effective methods for developing high strength lightweight Mg alloys for automotive and aerospace applications. In this review article, a series of research work about I-phase containing Mg alloys have been systematically investigated including I-phase formation mechanism and their effects on mechanical properties of Mg alloys. Particular emphases have been given to: (1) Structure of I-phase and its orientation relationship with the a-Mg matrix. (2) Influence of alloying elements and solidification conditions on I-phase formation. (3) Effects of I-phase on microstructural evolution and mechanical improvement of Mg–Zn–Y–(Zr) alloys. Moreover, the applications of I-phase for the mechanical improvement of other Mg alloys such as AZ91 and super-lightweight Mg–Li alloys are also reviewed.     

Effect of magnesium on the aluminothermic reduction rate of zinc oxide obtained from spent alkaline battery anodes for the preparation of Al–Zn–Mg alloys

The aluminothermic reduction of zinc oxide (ZnO) from alkaline battery anodes using molten Al may be a good option for the elaboration of secondary 7000-series alloys. This process is affected by the initial content of Mg within molten Al, which decreases the surface tension of the molten metal and conversely increases the wettability of ZnO particles. The effect of initial Mg concentration on the aluminothermic reduction rate of ZnO was analyzed at the following values: 0.90wt%, 1.20wt%, 4.00t%, 4.25wt%, and 4.40wt%. The ZnO particles were incorporated by mechanical agitation using a graphite paddle inside a bath of molten Al maintained at a constant temperature of 1123 K and at a constant agitation speed of 250 r/min, the treatment time was 240 min and the ZnO particle size was 450-500 mesh. The results show an increase in Zn concentration in the prepared alloys up to 5.43wt% for the highest initial concentration of Mg. The reaction products obtained were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, and the efficiency of the reaction was measured on the basis of the different concentrations of Mg studied.     

Preparation of CaB_6 powder via calciothermic reduction of boron carbide

The method of calciothermic reduction of B_4C was proposed for preparing CaB_6. The phase transition and morphology evolution during the reaction were investigated in detail. The experimental results reveal that Ca first reacts with B_4C to generate CaB_2C_2 and CaB_6 at a low temperature and that the CaB_2C_2 subsequently reacts with Ca to produce CaB_6 and CaC_2 at a high temperature. After the products were leached to remove the byproduct CaC_2, pure CaB_6 was obtained. The grain size of the prepared CaB_6 was 2–3 μm, whereas its particle size was 4–13 μm; it inherited the particle size of B_4C. The residual C content of the product was decreased to 1.03 wt% after the first reaction at 1173 K for 4 h and the second reaction at 1623 K for 4 h.     

In vitro corrosion of Mg–1.21Li –1.12Ca –1Y alloy

The influence of the microstructure on mechanical properties and corrosion behavior of the Mg–1.21Li–1.12Ca–1Y alloy was investigated using OM, SEM, XRD, EPMA, EDS, tensile tests and corrosion measurements. The results demonstrated that the microstructure of the Mg–1.21Li–1.12Ca–1Y alloy was characterized by α-Mg substrate and intermetallic compounds Mg2 Ca and Mg24Y5. Most of the fine Mg2 Ca particles for the as-cast alloy were distributed along the grain boundaries, while for the as-extruded along the extrusion direction. The Mg24Y5 particles with a larger size than the Mg2 Ca particles were positioned inside the grains. The mechanical properties of Mg–1.21Li–1.12Ca–1Y alloy were improved by the grain refinement and dispersion strengthening. Corrosion pits initiated at the α-Mg matrix neighboring the Mg2 Ca particles and subsequently the alloy exhibited general corrosion and filiform corrosion as the corrosion product layer of Mg(OH)2and Mg CO3 became compact and thick.     

Effect of homogenization process on the hardness of Zn–Al–Cu alloys

The effect of a homogenizing treatment on the hardness of as-cast Zn–Al–Cu alloys was investigated. Eight alloy compositions were prepared and homogenized at 350 ℃ for 180 h, and their Rockwell “B” hardness was subsequently measured. All the specimens were analyzed by X-ray diffraction and metallographically prepared for observation by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The results of the present work indicated that the hardness of both alloys (as-cast and homogenized) increased with increasing Al and Cu contents; this increased hardness is likely related to the presence of the θ and τ' phases. A regression equation was obtained to determine the hardness of the homogenized alloys as a function of their chemical composition and processing parameters, such as homogenization time and temperature, used in their preparation.     

Bioactivity analysis of the Ta(Ⅴ) doped SiO_2–Ca O–Na_2O–P_2O_5 ceramics prepared by solid state sintering method

The main objective of the study was to control the degradation rate of material at a higher degradation rate improving the chemical stability of the material. Ta is known to have good chemical resistance, biocompatibility and show no adverse biological response. In the present study, Si O_2–Na_2O–Ca O–P_2O_5 bioceramics with different Ta_2O_5 contents was prepared by solid state sintering method at 1000 °C. The as-sintered ceramics were subjected to immersion studies in stimulated body fluid(SBF) for 21 days under static condition and characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and AAS. The findings of the research indicate that the addition of Ta_2O_5 controlled degradability, and all samples showed sufficient bioactivity.     

Mg和La对Ca–Ti 处理钢中夹杂物演变和组织的影响

The evolution of inclusions and the formation of acicular ferrite (AF) in Ca–Ti treated steel was systematically investigated after Mg and La addition. The inclusions in the molten steel were Ca–Al–O, Ca–Al–Mg–O, and La–Mg–Ca–Al–O after Ca, Mg, and La addition, respectively. The type of oxide inclusion in the final quenched samples was the same as that in the molten steel. However, unlike those in molten steel, the inclusions were Ca–Al–Ti–O + MnS, Ca–Mg–Al–Ti–O + MnS, and La–Ca–Mg–Al–Ti–O + MnS in Mg-free, Mg-containing, and La-containing samples, respectively. The inclusions distributed dispersedly in the La-containing sample. In addition, the average size of the inclusions in the La-containing sample was the smallest, while the number density of inclusions was the highest. The size of effective inclusions (nucleus of AF formation) was mainly in the range of 1–3 μm. In addition, the content of ferrite side plates (FSP) decreased, while the percentage of AF increased by 16.2% due to the increase in the number of effective inclusions in the La-containing sample in this study.