Porous Magnesium and Its Application

The metallic biomaterials are being revolutionized with the development of biodegradable materials including several metals, alloys, and metallic glasses. As such, the nature of metallic biomaterials is transformed from the bioinert to bioactive and multibiofunctional ones. Magnesium-based biomaterials are candidates to be used as new-generation biodegradable metals. Magnesium can dissolve in body fluid; this means that the implanted magnesium can degrade during the healing process, and, if the degradation is controlled, it would leave no debris after the completion of healing. Researchers have been working on synthesis and characterization of Mg-based biomaterials with a variety of composition to control the degradation rate of magnesium since uncontrolled degradation could result in loss of mechanical integ-rity, metal contamination in the body, and intolerable hydrogen evolution by tissue. As observed, the applied methods of synthesis and the choice of components affect the characteristics and performance of the Mg-based biomaterials.