Effect of high repetition laser shock peening on biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of magnesium

Magnesium, as a biomaterial has the potential to replace conventional implant materials owing to its numerous advantages. However, high corrosion rate is a major obstacle that has to be addressed for its implementation as implants. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effects of High Repetition Laser Shock Peening (HRLSP) on biocompatibility and corrosion resistance of Mg samples and as well as to analyze the effect of operational parameters such as peening with overlap on corrosion rate. From the results obtained using hydrogen evolution and mass loss methods, it was found that corrosion rates of both 0% overlap and 66% overlap peened samples reduced by more than 50% compared to that of unpeened sample and sample peened with 66% overlap exhibited least corrosion. The biocompatibility of peened Mg samples was also enhanced as there was neither rapid pH variation nor large hydrogen bubble formation around samples.