Behavioral Characteristics of Magnesium as a Biomaterial for Surface Engineering Application

The term “biomaterial” refers to any material that is well-suited to biological environments. It has several properties that vary depending on the application; areas where properties such as loading and strength are important are dominated by metal-based biomaterials, while others where shear properties of the material are important are dominated by ceramic-based materials. Magnesium (Mg) is a lightweight metal that can be found in nature as salt. Because of their bioactivity and biocompatibility, Mg and Mg-based alloys have found application in biological environments in recent years, making them suitable for vascular and orthopedic applications. During the late 1800s, Mg metal was used to develop medical device but this was promptly halted because of the corrosion rate observed in Mg-based medical devices in a biological environment. As development in metal alloying processes, coating techniques, and surface treatment have advanced in the twentieth century, the option to revisit Mg as a suitable option for medical application has opened up. This article discusses how various authors use Mg and its alloys for biomedical applications. It also discusses how various authors aim to improve the compatibility of medical implants containing Mg. Polylactic acid, hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, polycaprolactone, bredigite (Ca₇MgSi₄O₁₆), calcium, and other materials are used as reinforcement or matrix for Mg-containing medical devices.