Surface Structure and Corrosion Behavior of Mg68−xZn28+xCa4(x = 0.4) Bulk Metallic Glasses after Immersion in Ringer’s Solution

The main aim of the present study was to determine the impact of Zn on the surface structure and corrosion behavior of Mg-based metallic glasses after immersion in Ringer’s solution. The corrosion rate expressed by the volume of released hydrogen in the form of a function of immersion time in Ringer’s solution at 37 °C was presented. The surface structure and corrosion products, which were formed during the immersion tests, were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy and the following spectroscopic methods: x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, x-ray diffractometry, secondary ion mass spectrometry and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy. As a result of the investigations of the surface structure, oxides (MgO, CaO, ZnO), hydroxides (Mg(OH)2, Ca(OH)2) and carbonates (CaCO3) were identified. The analysis of the research results allowed the determination of a probable course and corrosion mechanism of the above-mentioned metallic glasses during immersion in Ringer’s solution.