Design and Development of New Biodegradable Magnesium Alloys for Orthopedic Applications

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Metallic biomaterials like stainless steel and titanium alloys have been used for decades in structural implant applications. Recently, there has been a significant interest in magnesium alloys for their potential application as load bearing implant materials. Apart from having mechanical properties similar to bone, magnesium is also biodegradable and biocompatible. This makes it an attractive option for temporary implant applications. This study illustrates the design strategy for developing new Mg based alloys and presents preliminary results of the in-vitro analysis of the alloys. The effect of alloy composition and microstructure on the degradation rate will also be discussed.