Current Developments in Surface Coatings of Magnesium Alloys for Biomedical Applications: A Review

Z. Karm and F. Q. Mohammed

Abstract
Magnesium alloys have attracted considerable attention, particularly in the biomedical field, due to their excellent biocompatibility and bone-like properties, which make them suitable materials for biomedical applications. However, their low corrosion resistance and rapid degradation lead to poor functional performance. Therefore, this review focuses on the biomedical applications of magnesium alloys and examines the corrosion mechanisms and corrosion types affecting these alloys when used in the medical field. Among the many techniques, this review focuses on surface coating preparation. Surface coating techniques have helped increase corrosion resistance and biocompatibility while reducing the susceptibility of magnesium alloys to premature degradation. These coatings represent a modern approach for improving the clinical performance of these alloys. However, several challenges remain, including balancing degradation rates with structural integrity and enhancing their compatibility with biological tissues. Accordingly, this review summarizes recent advances in surface coating technologies and provides an overview of the corrosion mechanisms associated with coated magnesium alloys, thereby highlighting future directions and opportunities for their broader application in the biomedical field.

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Keywords
magnesium alloy, corrosion mechanism, corrosion types, surface modification, bioimplants