Coating of bioactive glass on magnesium alloys to improve its degradation behavior: Interfacial aspects

The preferable mechanical properties of Mg alloys along with excellent compatibility with human bone have established their applicability as implant biomaterials. However, a higher corrosion/degradation rate of Mg alloys in body fluids limits its biomedical applications. In this direction, surface modification and coating are explored as appropriate strategies to mode the degradation rate of Mg alloys. The constituents of bioactive glass (BG) provide strength, bio-inertness and bone bonding capability. Hence, researchers have explored the coating of BG on Mg alloys and investigated chemical, mechanical and biological properties of the coated alloys. In this review, we have made an attempt to compile the literature works done on the coating of BG on Mg alloys and its features. Underlying interfacial aspects of the coated substrates towards the degradation behavior are highlighted. The way forward to further improve the coating characteristics of BG coated Mg alloys are remarked.