Trans. Nonferrous Met. Soc. China 24(2014) 10581064Surface modification of biomedical magnesium alloy wiresby micro-arc oxidationCheng-lin CHU1, Xiao HAN1, Jing BAI1, Feng XUE1, Paul-kao CHU2 1. Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Advanced Metallic Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering,Southeast University, Nanjing 211189, China;2. Department of Physics and Materials Science, City University of Hong Kong,Tat Chee, Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, ChinaReceived 27 April 2013; accepted 3 September 2013Abstract: Magnesium alloy wires were processed by micro-arc oxidation (MAO) in a modified positeelectrolyte containing hydroxyapatite (HA) nanopowders and NaOH. Effects of NaOH content in posite electrolyte on themicrostructure and properties of the MAO ceramic coatings on magnesium alloy wires were studied. It is found that the arc voltageof magnesium alloy wires in the micro-arc oxidation process is significantly reduced while the oxidation rate is accelerated. Additionof 2 g/L NaOH in posite electrolyte is a better choice for improving corrosion resistance of magnesium alloy wires. Duringearly simulated body fluids (SBF) immersion, the micro-arc oxidized magnesium alloy wires undergo a slow and stable soaking for 28 d, the protective ceramic coating still shows no damage but significant degradation is observed for magnesiumalloy wires after immersion for more