Biodegradable Mg-based alloys: biological implications and restorative opportunities

Abstract

Mg-based alloys as revolutionary implantable biomaterials have increasingly attracted considerable attention, owing to their biodegradability in vivo and beneficial effects on biological systems. The degradation process and products of Mg-based alloys have been reported to exhibit significant biological effects on host-tissue responses. However, these effects have not yet been fully understood. This review systemically summarizes and analyses the current understandings and recent research progress in this area. The primary focal points are the biological effects and related mechanisms associated with the degradation behaviour of Mg-based alloys. The biological impacts of the degradation products are elucidated and the arguable or controversial issues are also discussed, providing a pathway toward a greater understanding of the biological implications of Mg-based alloys. Furthermore, based on these biological implications, the restorative potential of Mg-based alloys for applications in tissue repair and regeneration is summarized. Finally, outlooks on biosafety evaluation and design strategies for Mg-based alloy implants are briefly discussed.

Development and Future Trends of Protective Strategies for Magnesium Alloy Vascular Stents

“…Compared to the bare magnesium alloy stents, the HF-treated stents demonstrated exceptional corrosion resistance without deformation. Nevertheless, Physicochemical characters, such as the impurity content and alloying elements, microstructures (e.g., grain size and second phases, segregation and intracrystalline orientation errors), plastic deformation and internal stress determine the electrode potentials, oxide features and galvanic corrosion tendency in magnesium alloys [51]. Therefore, the corrosion resistance of magnesium alloys can be improved by changing the alloy composition and constituent phases in magnesium alloys, surface coating protection, and adding a corrosion inhibitor.…”

Inherent Antibacterial Properties of Biodegradable FeMnC(Cu) Alloys for Implant Application

“…However, as those materials should release Cu ions as they degrade, lower Cu contents would be sufficient. Besides Mg-based , and Zn-based, Fe-based alloys − are also widely investigated for the use as temporary implant material with high potential for future clinical application. Regarding degradable Fe-based implant materials, only a few studies investigate the alloying with Cu.…”

Tribological aspects of magnesium matrix composites: A review of recent experimental studies

“…Magnesium (Mg) is the most crucial candidate among the different materials due to its low density and high specific strength [4]. Mg alloys have many advantages, such as high stiffness, good damping ability, superior biocompatibility, recyclability, machinability and huge hydrogen storage capacity [5][6][7][8]. Nevertheless, the widespread use of Mg alloys is limited due to their poor formability, low corrosion resistance and poor wear properties [9][10][11][12].…”