In the recent past, Mg has been used for various biomedical applications in addition to their structural applications. As Mg is biodegradable and has a similar Young’s modulus to natural bone, it is an attractive option for biomedical implants (stents, plates, screws, various orthopedic implants, etc.). By using Equal Channel Angular Extrusion (ECAE) to process Mg alloys, microstructural refinement can be optimized to provide these alloys with strength, ductility, and increased resistance to corrosion. The goal of this project is to investigate the use of ECAE processing of Mg alloys for biomedical applications, and assess the effect of processing on microstructure, mechanical properties, and corrosion behavior. 

Mg is an essential element for human metabolism, and its alloys possess elastic moduli and yield strengths closer to those of natural bone than common, inert metallic implants. More importantly, Mg can degrade in the human body in a safe and controlled manner, thereby reducing the need for second surgeries to remove implants. In this study, ECAE extruded Mg bars, and 3D weaves fabricated from Mg wires are evaluate as biomaterials.

Over the last two decades we have studied the mechanical properties of teeth: the hard outer covering of enamel and to a lesser degree the softer mid-layer of dentin. We have found significant variations in the hardness and stiffness of human molar enamel, and we have correlated these changes with trends in the local chemistry and organic content. In addition, we have identified similar trends in monkey teeth and human incisors.