Abstract
The use of magnesium alloys is very interesting for orthopaedic applications. Corrosion rate of these materials can be determined by a range of techniques. The study was aimed at the assessment the ability of electrochemical methods to provide comparable results. Corrosion behaviour study was composed of polarisation resistance and electrochemical impedance spectra measurements as well as release of hydrogen detection. An apparatus for measurement of the volume of released hydrogen under clearly defined conditions was designed. Based on results it is possible to conclude: measurement of electrochemical impedance spectra provides information on the system behaviour in each phase of exposure. The data can be used to determine both the development of all resistances and the layer resistance. This represents an important advantage compared to the polarisation resistance determined by DC technique. The quality of corrosion behaviour assessment would substantially be increased by comparing results of several methods.

Key words
magnesium alloy, corrosion, electrochemistry, hydrogen

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