Research and Development in Magnesium Alloys for Industrial and Biomedical Applications: A Review

Research and Development in Magnesium Alloys for Industrial and Biomedical Applications: A Review

The work reviews the research and development status of magnesium alloy, with more attention to the methodologies andtechnologies adopted to improve the properties of AZ91 alloy. The drive force of utilizing magnesium alloys for automotiveand biomedical application is light weightiness and biocompatibility respectively. However, the softness and high activityof magnesium alloys result in high wear and high corrosion rate respectively. One of the essential factors influencing theproperties of magnesium alloy is its microstructure. Consequently, the grain size, morphology and distribution of phaseconstituents influence the properties of magnesium alloys. The modification of microstructure through processing route (hotworking and cold working), heat treatment, and alloying elements improves the mechanical, corrosion, biocompatible, andtribological properties of magnesium alloys. Besides microstructural modification processes, addition of reinforcements,and coatings improves the properties of magnesium alloys. This article emphasis on the recent research on the technologiesto improve the microstructure, hardness, tensile strength, ductility, yield strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistanceof magnesium alloy AZ91. Moreover, this review addresses the key issues hindering the applications of magnesium alloysfor structural and biomedical applications.

The work reviews the research and development status of magnesium alloy, with more attention to the methodologies andtechnologies adopted to improve the properties of AZ91 alloy. The drive force of utilizing magnesium alloys for automotiveand biomedical application is light weightiness and biocompatibility respectively. However, the softness and high activityof magnesium alloys result in high wear and high corrosion rate respectively. One of the essential factors influencing theproperties of magnesium alloy is its microstructure. Consequently, the grain size, morphology and distribution of phaseconstituents influence the properties of magnesium alloys. The modification of microstructure through processing route (hotworking and cold working), heat treatment, and alloying elements improves the mechanical, corrosion, biocompatible, andtribological properties of magnesium alloys. Besides microstructural modification processes, addition of reinforcements,and coatings improves the properties of magnesium alloys. This article emphasis on the recent research on the technologiesto improve the microstructure, hardness, tensile strength, ductility, yield strength, wear resistance, and corrosion resistanceof magnesium alloy AZ91. Moreover, this review addresses the key issues hindering the applications of magnesium alloysfor structural and biomedical applications.