BRIN Develops Magnesium Alloy for Bone-Healing Biomedical Implants

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is developing a magnesium alloy as a biomedical implant material with the potential to support bone healing. Magnesium was selected because it is a lightweight metal widely utilized across various sectors, ranging from aviation and industry to healthcare.

Based on information received on Sunday, September 13, 2026, This development is driven by the high demand for medical treatment regarding bone fractures in Indonesia. A Junior Expert Researcher at BRIN’s Research Center for Metallurgy, Lutviasari Nuraini, stated that according to data from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, the prevalence of fractures in Indonesia accounts for approximately 5.5 percent of all health cases; one common treatment method involves the insertion of implants to aid bone recovery.

She explained that metal implants generally fall into two categories: non-degradable and degradable. Non-degradable implants are permanent and commonly used to treat fractures, utilizing materials such as stainless steel, titanium, and cobalt-chromium.

In contrast to the first type, degradable implants can naturally break down within the body, and magnesium is currently being developed as a candidate material for this type of implant. According to her, the similarity of magnesium properties to human bone is one of the reasons the material has the potential to be used as an orthopedic implant, including to reduce the risk of stress shielding effect, which is a condition where the difference in properties between the implant and bone causes uneven load distribution.

Furthermore, she outlined three key advantages of magnesium alloys for biomedical applications. First, magnesium possesses high biocompatibility; as an essential element for the human body, it interacts effectively with body tissues. Second, magnesium is bioresorbable, meaning it can be reabsorbed by the body.

Therefore, the implant will gradually dissolve as the bone heals over a period of six to eight months. It will then be excreted naturally by the metabolic system through the kidneys and digestive tract. A third advantage is that this degradable nature eliminates the need for a follow-up removal surgery once the implant has naturally broken down; this reduces medical costs, patient trauma, and the risk of postoperative infection.

However, the development of magnesium implants still faces challenges, as the material is highly reactive and possesses relatively low corrosion resistance. Furthermore, the degradation process can generate hydrogen gas, which must be managed to ensure safety and optimal physiological compatibility.

Lutviasari notes that magnesium alloys hold significant market potential and are projected to see continued global growth. She hopes that research into magnesium-based implants will serve as a foundation for developing domestically produced, self-degrading implants.

Such local production of high-tech implants would not only strengthen the independence of the national medical device industry but also provide a safer, more comfortable, and more affordable solution for fracture treatment for the Indonesian people.