Biodegradable metallic materials (BMMs) are increasingly being explored as temporary implants because they can provide mechanical support during healing without requiring secondary removal surgery. This review summarizes recent advances in Mg-, Zn-, Fe- and Mo-based alloys, with emphasis on their mechanical performance, in vivo degradation behavior and biocompatibility. Mg alloys are attractive for bone repair but are limited by rapid corrosion and gas evolution. Zn alloys exhibit a more moderate resorption profile and show antibacterial and osteogenic potential, although their relatively low strength restricts use in highly loaded regions. Fe alloys provide excellent structural support, yet their extremely slow degradation may lead to prolonged retention of corrosion products. Mo-based alloys combine high strength, relatively uniform corrosion and promising biosafety, but their dose-dependent toxicity and long-term systemic effects still require further clarification. Recent advances in additive manufacturing, microstructural regulation and surface functionalization have created new opportunities to better balance mechanical reliability with controlled bioresorption. This review also identifies major challenges, including nanoscale interface engineering and standardized in vivo evaluation and discusses future directions for the clinical translation of biodegradable metallic implants.
Chang et al. (Mon,) studied this question.