Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 March 2011
In recent years there has been a renewed interest in magnesium alloys forapplications as temporary biomedical implants because magnesium is bothbiocompatible and biodegradable. However, the rapid corrosion rate ofmagnesium in physiological environments has prevented its successful use fortemporary implants. Since alloying is one of the routes to slow downcorrosion, we report in this publication our investigation of Mg-Ti alloysfabricated by high-energy ball milling as possible materials forbiocompatible and biodegradable implants. Titanium was chosen mainly becauseof its proven biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. Corrosion testscarried out by immersing the Mg-Ti alloys in Hank’s Solution at 37°C showedsignificantly improved corrosion resistance of the alloy in comparison topure magnesium. Thus, Mg-Ti alloys are promising new biodegradable andbiocompatible materials for temporary implants.