Characteristic modifications of magnesium and its alloy for future implant material - Review

Abstract

Magnesium and its alloy are known as biodegradable materials. Application of these materials especially as an implant material such as fracture fixation, cardiovascular stent and musculoskeletal. Characteristic modifications of these materials have been extensively done by some treatments. The objective of this paper is to review some treatments of the magnesium and its alloy to increase their characteristic as a biomaterial. In this paper, the treatments of magnesium and its alloy by coating, surface mechanical attrition treatment (SMAT) and shot peening were reviewed. Some properties were studied base on these treatments such as corrosion resistant, morphology, mechanical properties, wettability, and biocompatibility. Coating treatment by thermal oxidation improved both wear and corrosion resistant. SMAT resulted in grain size of nanometre in the topmost surface of magnesium. Surface roughness and wettability also increased on the SMATed specimen but its corrosion resistant decreased. Severe shot peening on magnesium for orthopaedic application should be studied intensively.