SYNERGISTIC EFFECTS OF WEAR AND CORROSION ON MASS LOSS OF GZ62K ALLOY IN SIMULATED BODY FLUID FOR ORTHOPEDIC APPLICATION

Abstract

The friction and wear behavior of the as-cast Mg–6Gd–2Zn–0.4Zr (wt.%, GZ62K) alloy has been studied under dry and simulated body fluid (SBF) conditions for orthopedic application. The results show that the friction coefficient in SBF is much lower than that under dry sliding condition. The mass loss in SBF is lower than that of dry sliding condition before the corrosion products were removed but higher after they were removed. In SBF, wear is significantly alleviated due to lubrication and corroded film, but corrosion is extremely aggravated by wear debris. It is indicated that corrosion contributes much more mass loss than wear with the increase of sliding time.