Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Implants: Properties, Challenges, and Surface Modifications with a Focus on Orthopedic Fixation Repair
Source abstract
Abstract
Biomedical devices made from high-modulus and hardness materials play a critical role in enhancing the quality of life for people with bone-related ailments. While these materials have been successfully used in orthopedic applications, concerns including stress-shielding have necessitated the exploration of alternative solutions. An ideal biomedical implant requires a delicate balance of mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, tissue biocompatibility, and other properties such as tribological performance and osseointegration. This review explores the suitability of biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys as a promising material for biomedical implants. It delves into the essential properties of biomedical implants, emphasizing the importance of matching mechanical characteristics with human bone properties to mitigate stress shielding. The corrosion properties of implant materials are discussed, highlighting the need for controlled degradation to ensure the safety and longevity of implants. The focus then shifts to the potential of magnesium alloys as biomedical implants, examining their benefits, limitations, and the challenges associated with their high degradation rates and less-than-satisfactory mechanical properties. Alloying with elements such as aluminum, zinc, and others is explored to improve magnesium alloys’ mechanical performance and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, this review discusses surface modification techniques, including chemical conversion coatings and biomimetic deposition, as effective strategies to enhance the corrosion resistance and biocompatibility of magnesium and its alloys. These modifications offer opportunities to improve the long-term performance of magnesium-based biomedical implants. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the properties, challenges, and potential solutions associated with biodegradable magnesium alloys as a promising material for biomedical implants. It underscores the importance of addressing problems related to mechanical performance, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility to advance the development of safe and effective biomedical implant materials.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Magnesium Alloys: Properties and Applications · Aluminum Alloys Composites Properties · MXene and MAX Phase Materials
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Materials Science and Engineering Program, College of Arts and Sciences, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates
Biomedical Engineering Program, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates
Department of Chemical Engineering, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602, USA
Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah P.O. Box 26666, United Arab Emirates
Funding
the Dana Gas Endowed Chair for Chemical Engineering, American University of Sharjah Faculty Research Grants · Sheikh Hamdan Award for Medical Sciences · Friends of Cancer Patients (FoCP)
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