Biodegradation behavior regulation for Fe-based bone implants

Degradable metals, as revolutionary temporary implant materials, are designed to safely degrade after completing bone repair in the body, avoiding secondary removal surgeries. Among the three main degradable metals of magnesium, iron (Fe) and zinc, Fe-based materials have received widespread attentions due to their excellent mechanical strength and acceptable biocompatibility. However, the degradation rate of Fe in the body is too slow to match the bone tissue healing, which limits its clinical translation. To meet the needs of bone repair applications, the development of new Fe-based alloys with controllable degradation rates (alloying, surface treatment, etc.), good mechanical properties, and excellent biocompatibility has become a key direction of current research. This book systematically reviews the research progress of typical Fe-based alloys in the field of bone repair, focusing on their alloy design, preparation process, performance characterization (mechanical properties, degradation performance, and biocompatibility). It also provides prospects for the future application of Fe-based material in the field of bone repair.