Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications

A special issue of Metals (ISSN 2075-4701). This special issue belongs to the section "Biobased and Biodegradable Metals".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2020) | Viewed by 22941

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Mechanical Engineering, Hochschule Stralsund—University of Applied Sciences, 18435 Stralsund, Germany
Interests: magnesium; processing; biomaterial; alloy development
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Institute of Product & Process Innovation, Leuphana University Lüneburg, D-21335 Lüneburg, Germany
2. Functional Magnesium Materials, Institute of Metallic Biomaterials, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
Interests: magnesium; castability; biomaterial; alloy development

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The interest in Magnesium alloys as biodegradable metals has strongly grown over the last decades. Magnesium is of interest mainly because of its biocompatibility, moderate corrosion rate, and appropriate mechanical properties, when the right alloying system is used. Potential applications of Magnesium alloys are represented by structural material for orthopedics and temporary cardiovascular devices. The focus in the development of Magnesium alloys is on alloy design, alloy’s fatigue and stress corrosion properties, deformability, moderate corrosion rate, and uniform corrosion morphology. The community is highly discussing the relation between Magnesium alloys’ in vitro and in vivo properties, which would help to reduce animal testing and support simulations to pre-select alloys. The mechanical properties are usually described by tensile tests and hardness tests. Furthermore, fatigue and stress corrosion data are needed to get a full picture of stability over degradation time. Magnesium is known for pitting corrosion. Since corrosion pits cause increased stress intensity under mechanical loading and early failure of implants, special attention should be paid to a uniform corrosion morphology. The aim of this Special Issue on Biodegradable Magnesium is to explore and introduce new alloys to overcome the current limitations of Magnesium applications.

Prof. Dr. Petra Maier
Dr. Norbert Hort
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Metals is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • Magnesium
  • Biodegradation
  • Corrosion
  • Bone implants
  • Stents
  • Screws
  • Wires
  • Fatigue
  • Biometal

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Editorial

Jump to: Research, Review

3 pages, 174 KiB  
Editorial
Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications
by Petra Maier and Norbert Hort
Metals 2020, 10(10), 1328; https://doi.org/10.3390/met10101328 - 05 Oct 2020
Cited by 21 | Viewed by 2575
Abstract
Interest in magnesium alloys as biodegradable metals has strongly grown over the last decades [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications)

Research

Jump to: Editorial, Review

9 pages, 1557 KiB  
Article
Biodegradable Magnesium Alloy (ZK60) with a Poly(l-lactic)-Acid Polymer Coating for Maxillofacial Surgery
by Soo-Hwan Byun, Ho-Kyung Lim, Sung-Mi Lee, Hyoun-Ee Kim, Soung-Min Kim and Jong-Ho Lee
Metals 2020, 10(6), 724; https://doi.org/10.3390/met10060724 - 29 May 2020
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3043
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical strength and biodegradation of a ZK60 plate coated with poly(l-lactic)-acid polymer (PLLA) in a LeFort I osteotomy canine model for maxillofacial applications. The PLLA-coated ZK60 plate and screw were evaluated using a LeFort [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical strength and biodegradation of a ZK60 plate coated with poly(l-lactic)-acid polymer (PLLA) in a LeFort I osteotomy canine model for maxillofacial applications. The PLLA-coated ZK60 plate and screw were evaluated using a LeFort I osteotomy canine model based on five beagles. The presence of wound dehiscence, plate exposure, gas formation, inflammation, pus formation, occlusion, food intake, and fistula formation were evaluated. After 12 weeks, these dogs were sacrificed, and an X-ray micro-computed tomography (µCT) was conducted. Plate exposure, gas formation, and external fistula were not observed, and the occlusion remained stable. Wound dehiscence did not heal for 12 weeks. CT images did not show plates in all the five dogs. A few screw bodies fixed in the bone remained, and screw heads were completely absorbed after 12 weeks. These findings may be attributed to the inability to optimize the absorption rate with PLLA coating. Rapid biodegradation of the PLLA-coated ZK60 occurred due to the formation of microcracks during the bending process. Further improvement to the plate system with PLLA-coated ZK60 is required using other surface coating methods or alternative Mg alloys. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

16 pages, 5271 KiB  
Article
Characterization of an Extruded Mg-Dy-Nd Alloy during Stress Corrosion with C-Ring Tests
by Petra Maier, Benjamin Clausius, Jens Wicke and Norbert Hort
Metals 2020, 10(5), 584; https://doi.org/10.3390/met10050584 - 29 Apr 2020
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2881
Abstract
This study focuses on the characterization of the failure behavior of an extruded Mg10Dy1Nd alloy during stress corrosion. The microstructure, hardness, strength and corrosion behavior of binary alloys Mg10Dy and Mg1Nd are compared to those of the ternary alloy system. The ternary alloy [...] Read more.
This study focuses on the characterization of the failure behavior of an extruded Mg10Dy1Nd alloy during stress corrosion. The microstructure, hardness, strength and corrosion behavior of binary alloys Mg10Dy and Mg1Nd are compared to those of the ternary alloy system. The ternary alloy Mg-Dy-Nd that is not fully recrystallized has the highest hardness but lacks ductility. The investigated alloys twin during plastic deformation. Static C-ring tests in Ringer solution were used to evaluate the stress corrosion properties, and stress corrosion could not be found. None of the alloys failed by fracturing, but corrosion pits formed to various extents. These corrosion pits were elliptical in shape and located below the surface. Some of the pits reduced the remaining wall thickness significantly, but the stress increased by the notch effect did not lead to crack initiation. Furthermore, the C-ring specimen was subjected to compressive loading until fracture. Whereas the Mg1Nd alloy showed ductile behavior, the alloys containing Dy fractured on the tensile side. The crack initiation and growth were mainly influenced by the twin boundaries. The Mg10Dy1Nd alloy had an inhomogeneous microstructure and low ductility, which resulted in a lower fracture toughness than that of the Mg10Dy alloy. There were features that indicate hydrogen-assisted fracture. Although adding Nd decreased the fracture toughness, it reduced the grain size and had a positive influence on the corrosion rate during immersion testing. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications)
Show Figures

Graphical abstract

12 pages, 4342 KiB  
Article
Surface Morphologies and Mechanical Properties of Mg-Zn-Ca Amorphous Alloys under Chemistry-Mechanics Interactive Environments
by Yongyan Li, Zhuofan Liang, Lianzan Yang, Weimin Zhao, Yalong Wang, Hui Yu, Chunling Qin and Zhifeng Wang
Metals 2019, 9(3), 327; https://doi.org/10.3390/met9030327 - 14 Mar 2019
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2520
Abstract
Mg-Zn-Ca amorphous alloys are considered as potential bone implants. A large number of works have focused on the alloys under free corrosion environment. However, the real service environment of bone implants is a kind of chemistry-mechanics interactive environment in which the materials not [...] Read more.
Mg-Zn-Ca amorphous alloys are considered as potential bone implants. A large number of works have focused on the alloys under free corrosion environment. However, the real service environment of bone implants is a kind of chemistry-mechanics interactive environment in which the materials not only suffer corrosion by body fluids but also bear applied force induced by body movement. In order to imitate the real service environment, surface morphologies and mechanical properties of Mg-Zn-Ca amorphous alloys were studied under different chemistry-mechanics interactive environments in this paper. It was found that cracks and Ca/Mg phosphates formed on the surface of amorphous alloys. The compressive strength of the alloys decreased seriously but could still reach an acceptable value to avoid material failure. Fan-shaped patterns found on all the samples implied that brittle fracture was the main fracture form. Moreover, vein-like patterns could still be found in some areas, showing a locally plastic deformation. This was the reason why the alloy could maintain a high compressive strength after severe and interactive treatments. The study could guide related works in the establishment of experimental environments in the future, which will facilitate a more accurate biomedical evaluation of bone implants. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 7396 KiB  
Article
Acetic Acid Etching of Mg-xGd Alloys
by Marcjanna Maria Gawlik, Björn Wiese, Alexander Welle, Jorge González, Valérie Desharnais, Jochen Harmuth, Thomas Ebel and Regine Willumeit-Römer
Metals 2019, 9(2), 117; https://doi.org/10.3390/met9020117 - 23 Jan 2019
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 6272
Abstract
Mg-xGd alloys show potential to be used for degradable implants. As rare earth containing alloys, they are also of special interest for wrought products. All applications from medical to engineering uses require a low and controlled degradation or corrosion rate without [...] Read more.
Mg-xGd alloys show potential to be used for degradable implants. As rare earth containing alloys, they are also of special interest for wrought products. All applications from medical to engineering uses require a low and controlled degradation or corrosion rate without pitting. Impurities from fabrication or machining, like Fe inclusions, encourage pitting, which inhibits uniform material degradation. This work investigates a suitable etching method to remove surface contamination and to understand the influence of etching on surface morphology. Acetic acid (HAc) etching as chemical surface treatment has been used to remove contamination from the surface. Extruded Mg-xGd (x = 2, 5 and 10) discs were etched with 250 g/L HAc solution in a volume of 5 mL or 10 mL for different times. The microstructure in the near surface region was characterized. Surface characterization was done by SEM, EDS, interferometry, and ToF-SIMS (time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry) analysis. Different etching kinetics were observed due to microstructure and the volume of etching solution. Gd rich particles and higher etching temperatures due to smaller etchant volumes promote the formation of pits. Removal of 2–9 µm of material from the surface was sufficient to remove surface Fe contamination and to result in a plain surface morphology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Editorial, Research

20 pages, 2601 KiB  
Review
The Potential of Magnesium Based Materials in Mandibular Reconstruction
by Somasundaram Prasadh, Vaishnavi Ratheesh, Vyasaraj Manakari, Gururaj Parande, Manoj Gupta and Raymond Wong
Metals 2019, 9(3), 302; https://doi.org/10.3390/met9030302 - 07 Mar 2019
Cited by 42 | Viewed by 4828
Abstract
The future of biomaterial design will rely on development of bioresorbable implant materials that completely and safely degrade in vivo after the tissues grow, without generating harmful degradation products at the targeted anatomic site. Permanent biomaterials such as Ti6Al4V alloy, 316L stainless steel, [...] Read more.
The future of biomaterial design will rely on development of bioresorbable implant materials that completely and safely degrade in vivo after the tissues grow, without generating harmful degradation products at the targeted anatomic site. Permanent biomaterials such as Ti6Al4V alloy, 316L stainless steel, and Co-based alloys currently used in mandibular reconstruction often result in stress shielding effects due to mismatch in the Young’s modulus values between the bone and the implant, resulting in implant loosening. Also, allergic responses due to metal ion releases necessitates revision surgery to prevent long term exposure of the body to toxic implant contents. Bioresorbable metals are perceived as revolutionary biomaterials that have transformed the nature of metallic biomaterials from bioinert to bioactive and multi-bio functional (anti-bacterial, anti-proliferation, and anti-cancer). In this aspect, magnesium (Mg)-based materials have recently been explored by the biomedical community as potential materials for mandibular reconstruction, as they exhibit favorable mechanical properties, adequate biocompatibility, and degradability. This article reviews the recent progress that has led to advances in developing Mg-based materials for mandibular reconstruction; correlating with the biomechanics of mandible and types of mandibular defects. Mg-based materials are discussed regarding their mechanical properties, corrosion characteristics, and in vivo performance. Finally, the paper summarizes findings from this review, together with a proposed scope for advancing the knowledge in Mg-based materials for mandibular reconstruction. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop