What Does
Biodegradable Mean?
This is a term used to refer to a substance that can undergo decomposition through natural agents. Once the substance has been broken down, it becomes harmless to humans and the environment. This property has led to the development of biodegradable metals as biomaterials for making bioactive materials in the medicinal industry. It is applicable in implants when material science is required to provide temporary aid to diseased tissues through their healing process while continuously degrading.
Corrosionpedia Explains Biodegradable
Biodegradable metals are specifically obtained from the alloys of magnesium and iron metals. In the science of biomaterial, there is always a need for coming up with a corrosion-resistant metal alloy as temporary implant material.
The context of defining the corrosion resistance mechanical properties in these alloys is the surrounding conditions inside a human body. This means that the alloy will be placed in a human body, which contains oxygen and moisture (factors that initiate corrosion). Therefore, the aim of bioactive biomaterial and biodegradable metal alloys is to prevent the formation of oxides and hydroxides, which might be a negative impact to any temporary implant.
Material science engineering has been at the forefront of provident tangible information for bio-materialists to decide on the best material in making metallic implants. Apart from metals, polymers are also used as a biomaterial but the metal has higher mechanical and physical properties (high strength to bulk ratio) that makes it a preferable selection.