LAUSR

The main aim of the present study was to determine the impact of Zn on the surface structure and corrosion behavior of Mg-based metallic glasses after immersion in Ringer’s solution. The corrosion rate expressed by the volume of released hydrogen in the form of a function of immersion time in Ringer’s solution at 37 °C was presented. The surface structure and corrosion products, which were formed during the immersion tests, were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy and the following spectroscopic methods: x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffractometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. As a result of the investigations of the surface structure, oxides (MgO, CaO, ZnO), hydroxides (Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2) and carbonates (CaCO3) were identified. The analysis of the research results allowed the determination of a probable course and corrosion mechanism of the above-mentioned metallic glasses during immersion in Ringer’s solution.