The Potential of Magnesium‑Based Materials for Engineering and Biomedical Applications

Abstract

Magnesium (Mg) is the lightest structural metal available in
abundance on earth crust. It is an excellent candidate for weight critical
applications. For example, the replacement of currently used aluminium
alloys in transportation sector by magnesium materials would promote
fuel energy savings and emission control. In recent years, there is a
growing interest on the utilization of Mg materials for biomedical applica‑
tions. This is primarily due to the bioresorbable and nontoxic nature of
Mg which makes it an ideal choice for body implants. This paper there‑
fore deliberates on the properties of Mg-based materials for potential
use in various engineering and biomedical applications. The develop‑
ment of Mg-alloys and composites are discussed in detail, highlight‑
ing the infuence of various alloying elements and reinforcements. The
processing methods applicable for Mg materials are briefy introduced,
followed by a summary on the current trends and the actual use of Mgbased materials in automobile, aerospace, consumer electronics, and
biomedical applications.