Formation characteristic of Ca–P coatings on magnesium alloy surface

Abstract A chemical method was used to deposit dicalcium phosphate dehydrate coatings on AZ91 magnesium alloy. The aim was to improve the biodegradation behavior of magnesium alloy in a simulated body fluid. The microstructures of the coating before and after immersion in the simulated body fluid were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicated that the dicalcium phosphate dehydrate coatings exhibited two morphologies during the pre-calcification process. The titration speed of the pre-calcification process had great influence on the morphologies of the pre-calcification coatings. As the soaking time increased, the diffraction peaks of dicalcium phosphate dehydrate disappeared and hydroxyapatite precipitated on the coated substrate surfaces. This indicates the dissolution of dicalcium phosphate dehydrate during the immersion process. The structures of the dicalcium phosphate dehydrate coatings and the formation mechanisms of the hydroxyapatite coatings were investigated in detail.