| Abstract Scope |
Biodegradable alloys offer significant potential for applications in biosensors and bioimplants due to their favorable combination of conductivity, biocompatibility, strength, and low density. However, understanding their degradation mechanisms and crack propagation behavior in environments where both corrosion and stress are simultaneously is challenging, despite its importance for the reliable design of these materials. In this study, we investigate the coupled effects of a corrosive environment and creep conditions on Mg-Zn-Ca alloys using the insights gained from in-situ monitoring system. A custom-designed experimental setup was developed to monitor crack propagation and degradation rates in real time. Post-experiment characterization was conducted using SEM, EBSD, and EDS, with the collected data further analyzed through a custom-developed AI instance segmentation algorithm. The results reveal accelerated crack propagation preferentially along the α-Mg phase. This integrated experimental and analytical approach provides valuable insights for the design of better biodegradable alloys, especially for minimally invasive bioimplants. |