National Engineering Research Center of Light Alloy Net Forming, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
Magnesium (Mg) alloys have excellent properties such as good mechanical property, biodegradation and biocompatibility, as a new generation of biodegradable metal materials. Mg alloys can avoid the stress shielding effect and promote the healing of bone for bone implants application. Mg alloys can also reduce the risk of restenosis by selfdegradation after a period of positive remodeling with stent support and drug treatment in the stenosis vessels for cardiovascular stent application. Therefore, Mg alloys have broad prospects for these applications. In this paper, the advantages and major challenges of Mg alloys as biodegradable materials are introduced firstly. Then, the latest research progress of biodegradable magnesium alloys in bone implants and stent applications are introduced respectively, with emphasis on the latest development of biodegradable medical magnesium alloys in Shanghai Jiao Tong University. Finally, the clinical application prospects of the biodegradable Mg alloys are discussed.