Biodegradable metals are breaking the current paradigm in biomaterial science to develop only corrosion resistant metals. In particular, metals which consist of trace elements existing in the human body are promising candidates for temporary implant materials. These implants would be temporarily needed to provide mechanical support during the healing process of the injured or pathological tissue. Magnesium and its alloys have been investigated recently by many authors as a suitable biodegradable biomaterial. In this investigative review we would like to summarize the latest achievements and comment on the selection and use, test methods and the approaches to develop and produce magnesium alloys that are intended to perform clinically with an appropriate host response. 1. Introduction 1.1 General: Major recent advances 2. Magnesium and its alloys 2.1. Chemical composition and production process of magnesium 2.1.1. Magnesium alloys 2.1.2. The alloying elements 2.1.3. The production process 2.1.4. The effect of alloying elements 2.2. Experimental test system used in in vivo and in vitro studies 2.2.1. In vivo testing of magnesium alloys 2.2.2. In vitro testing of magnesium alloys 3. Environmental conditions influencing Mg corrosion-in vitro and in vivo 3.1. Effect of the solution and organic content 3.2. Effect of flow and temperature 3.3. Effect of hydrogen diffusion coefficient 4. How to choose the right magnesium alloy? * separate references Click here to view linked References

This review aims to provide a foundation for the safe and effective use of magnesium (Mg) alloys, including practical guidelines for the service use of Mg alloys in the atmosphere and/or in contact with aqueous solutions. This is to provide support for the rapidly increasing use of Mg in industrial applications, particularly in the automobile industry. These guidelines should be firmly based on a critical analysis of our knowledge of SCC based on (1) service experience, (2) laboratory testing and (3) understanding of the mechanism of SCC, as well as based on an understanding of the Mg corrosion mechanism.

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Magnesium alloys have gained increasing interest in the past years due to their potential as implant materials. This interest is based on the fact that magnesium and its alloys are degradable during their time of service in the human body. Moreover magnesium alloys offer a property profile that is very close or even similar to that of human bone. The chemical composition triggers the resulting microstructure and features of degradation. In addition the entire manufacturing route is having an 2 influence on the morphology of the microstructure after processing. Therefore composition and manufacturing route have to be chosen carefully with regard to the requirements of an application. This paper will discuss the influence of composition and heat treatments on microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behaviour of cast Mg-Gd alloys. Recommendations will be given for the design of future degradable magnesium based implant materials.

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