Biodegradable metallic materials for medicine

Abstract

dissolve in the human body. Such materials include Mg and Zn alloys, as well as Fe-based alloys. A combination of various alloying elements in the alloys and the processing conditions have led to a wide variety of materials with adjustable mechanical properties and corrosion rate.Most magnesium alloys have a very high corrosion rate, which leads to a rapid loss of the mechanical strength of the material and implantation problems. Alloys with Fe, on the contrary, can remain in the human body for a long time, even after the completion of their function. Zinc and its alloys have shown ideal corrosion rates. During rapid corrosion, hydrogen is released and hydrogen cavities may form which may interfere with the initial bone healing process, resulting in a callus and cortical defects. This paper presents the most recent advances in the development of biodegradable Mg-, Zn- and Fe-based alloys for biomedical implants.