The Recent Developments of Thermomechanical Processing for Biomedical Mg Alloys and Their Clinical Applications

Magnesium (Mg) alloys have gained much attention for biomedical applications, due to their attractive properties, such as high specific strength, low density, low elasticity modulus, high damping capacity, biodegradation, and relatively good cytocompatibility. However, the biomedical use of Mg alloys also faces several challenges, primarily due to their low corrosion resistance and insufficient strength. Therefore, improving the strength and corrosion resistance of biomedical Mg alloys has become a critical issue. This review briefly summarizes the selection of appropriate alloying elements for biomedical Mg alloys, which is the fundamental factor in determining their microstructure, cytocompatibility, mechanical properties, and corrosion performance. It also discusses typical thermomechanical processing methods, including hot extrusion, hot rolling and hot forging, and examines the influence of deformation mode on microstructure, mechanical properties, and degradation behavior. Specifically, combining different thermomechanical processing methods could be an optimal choice, as it leverages the high efficiency and effectiveness of each method. Finally, the clinical application of biomedical Mg alloys in various fields are summarized and discussed to highlight their potential prospect and corresponding challenges. This review aims to provide insights for the rationale design and development of high-performance biomedical Mg alloys for widespread clinical applications.