3D printing of polymeric Coatings on AZ31 Mg alloy Substrate for Corrosion Protection of biomedical implants

Magnesium (Mg) alloys show promise in biomedical implants due to their excellent mechanical strength, biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, rapid degradation rates vivo induce toxicity reduce strength thereby, limiting widespread usage. Our group employs a 3D inkjet printing technique for polymeric surface modification of bioresorbable AZ31 Mg alloy towards corrosion control. Thin films three proprietary formulations elastomeric poly (ester urethane) urea (PEUU) embedded with an anti-proliferative drug paclitaxel (Taxol) were coated on biodegradable coupons. Multilayer coatings 5 20 layers deposited virgin (PEUU-V), PEUU phosphorylcholine (PEUU-PC) sulfobetaine (PEUU-SB). Coating thicknesses 8 µm 19 observed 5-layer 20-layer coatings, respectively. Surface morphology results depicted the presence Taxol beads PEUU-V PEUU-SB precipitation. An equivalent circuit model was used calculate polarization resistance values revealed that provided significant protective effect rate alloy. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements indicated offered least had highest porosity (35.6%) among all coatings. PEEU-V greatest (10.5%). Statistical analysis confirmed coating thickness significantly higher than This research lays foundation developing control drug-eluting cardiovascular other medical device applications via using printing.