Preparation, mechanical properties and in vitro biodegradation of porous magnesium scaffolds

Magnesium has been recently recognized as a biodegradation metal for bone substitute application. In the present work, porous magnesium foams were prepared by powder metallurgical process. The structural characteristics, mechanical properties and the in vitro biodegradation of the porous Mg specimens were investigated. These open-cellular specimens (porosities: 36–55%; pores: 200–400 μm) have the appropriate mechanical properties and the changeable in vitro degradation rates. These results suggest that the porous magnesium metals have the potential to serve as degradable implants for bone substitute applications.