Mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibilities of degradable Mg-RE alloys: A review

Magnesium-rare earth (Mg-RE) alloys, as potential biodegradable materials, are attracting considerable attention owing to their good mechanical properties and biodegradation behavior. Indeed, some RE elements within certain amounts of addition have proved to exhibit biocompatibility. Two main strategies have been applied to develop biomedical Mg-RE alloys. One strategy depends on the industrial fabrication system for these alloys while the other is to redesign them from the view point of biomaterials. In this work, the advances in new Mg-RE alloys design are reviewed. It is also summarized the mechanical properties, biocorrosion resistance and biocompatibilities of currently reported Mg-RE alloys. Then, several Mg-RE alloys that may be used in future medical applications are proposed. Finally, a strategy for ongoing development of biomedical Mg-RE alloys is suggested.