Negative effect of calcium tablets on the corrosion of a Co–Cr–Mo alloy as an implant

• S.A. Abdul Maged¹, R.A. Anaee¹ and M.T. Mathew²

¹ Department of Materials Engineering, University of Technology, Alsinaa St., Baghdad, 10001, Iraq
² Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1200 West Harrison St., Chicago, Illinois 60607, USA

Abstract: The side effect of mega doses from calcium supplement on the corrosion of a Co–Cr–Mo alloy for people who have implants has been studied by corrosion tests in simulated body fluid (SBF) at 37°C to measure electrochemical parameters followed by examining the alloy’s surface by FESEM and AFM techniques as well as studying the ions released. Six concentrations of calcium were added, three as normal doses and three others as mega doses. The corrosion test indicated an increase in the corrosion rate in the presence of Ca in the corrosive medium and a shift of the corrosion potentials in the active direction, i.e., calcium carbonate covers the cathodic area to increase the dissolution in the anodic area. Examination of corroded surface indicated that the deposited layers may consist of calcium hydroxide with a gel structure with an increase in the particle size range. The topographical study illustrated the increase in valleys and humps as well as an increase in the depth and height due to accumulation of a calcium salt. These accumulations led to an increase in the surface roughness to reach the highest value in the presence of 2500 mg/L Ca.

Keywords: Co–Cr–Mo alloy, calcium supplement, bio implant, hip joint

Int. J. Corros. Scale Inhib., 2023, 12, no. 1, 275-291
doi: 10.17675/2305-6894-2023-12-1-16

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