Thin Metallic Coatings for Bioresorbable Implants: The Role of Zirconium in Corrosion Control
Fatiha Challali
LSPM-Sorbonne Paris Nord University
Abstract
Thin metal layers make it possible to adjust a material’s properties and modify its surface reactivity. Used either as materials in their own right or as coatings, they open up new possibilities for controlling corrosion. In the field of bioresorbable implants, the challenge is to control the rate of degradation in order to tailor the material’s lifespan to its temporary function. Zinc- and magnesium-based alloys are promising candidates, whose behavior in physiological environments depends closely on their composition and microstructure. The addition of zirconium provides a means to modify their microstructure and adjust their corrosion kinetics. This presentation will address the preparation of these alloys as thin films via magnetron co-sputtering and the relationships between zirconium content, microstructure, and degradation. It will compare the amorphous structures obtained for certain compositions of the zinc-zirconium system with the nanocrystalline structures of the magnesium-zirconium system. The results will enable a discussion of the influence of zirconium and the structural state on corrosion behavior, as well as the role of passivation in the performance of films under immersion. This work illustrates the potential of thin films for developing materials and coatings with controlled degradation, intended for bioresorbable applications.
Contact: Marie-Paule Besland (PCM)
