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

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 applications. This is primarily due to the bioresorbable and nontoxic nature of Mg which makes it an ideal choice for body implants. This paper therefore deliberates on the properties of Mg-based materials for potential use in various engineering and biomedical applications. The development of Mg-alloys and composites are discussed in detail, highlighting the influence of various alloying elements and reinforcements. The processing methods applicable for Mg materials are briefly introduced, followed by a summary on the current trends and the actual use of Mg-based materials in automobile, aerospace, consumer electronics, and biomedical applications.