Magnesium alloys are very biocompatiable and show promise for use in orthopaedic implant. Significant progress of research on bioabsorbable magnesium stents and orthopaedic bones has been achieved in recent years. The issues on degradation, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion fatigue and erosion corrosion of magnesium alloys and various influencing factors in simulated body fluid (SBF) are discussed. The research progress on magnesium and its alloys as biomaterials and miscellaneous approaches to enhancement in corrosion resistance is reviewed. Finally the challenges and strategy for their application as orthopaedic biomaterials are also proposed.

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This review aims to provide a foundation for the safe and effective use of magnesium (Mg) alloys, including practical guidelines for the service use of Mg alloys in the atmosphere and/or in contact with aqueous solutions. This is to provide support for the rapidly increasing use of Mg in industrial applications, particularly in the automobile industry. These guidelines should be firmly based on a critical analysis of our knowledge of SCC based on (1) service experience, (2) laboratory testing and (3) understanding of the mechanism of SCC, as well as based on an understanding of the Mg corrosion mechanism.

This paper reviews various aspects of anodizing of magnesium alloys, such as the basics, processes, properties and applications. It systematically summarises the existing fundamental studies and technical developments of anodizing of magnesium alloys, and concludes that new anodizing processes based on electrolytic plasma anodizing that convert the surface of a magnesium alloy into a hard ceramic coating in an electrolytic bath using high energy electric discharges can offer improved wear and corrosion resistance. These new anodized coatings are often claimed to perform better than the traditional ones obtained through older anodizing processes, such as DOW17 or HAE. The new anodizing techniques are chromate free and hence environment friendly. It is expected that more cost‐effective, environment‐friendly and non‐toxic anodizing techniques will be developed and applied to magnesium alloy components in the future.

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