Abstract: Novel magnesium-based compositions-of-matter which can be used for manufacturing implantable medical devices such as orthopedic implants are disclosed. The compositions-of-matter can be used for constructing monolithic, porous and/or multilayered structures which are characterized by biocompatibility, mechanical properties and degradation rate that are highly suitable for medical applications. Articles, such as medical devices, made of these magnesium-based compositions-of-matter and processes of preparing these magnesium-based compositions-of-matter are also disclosed.

Abstract: A magnesium based alloy containing at least 86 wt % Mg; 4.8 to 9.2 wt % aluminum, 0.08 to 0.38 wt % manganese, 0.00 to 0.9 wt % zinc, 0.2 to 1.2 wt % calcium, 0.05 to 1.4 wt % strontium, and 0.00 to 0.8 wt % rare earth elements. The alloy may also comprise up to 0.02 wt % zirconium and up to 0.001 wt % beryllium.

Abstract: A magnesium based alloy containing at least 85.4 wt % Mg, 4.7 to 7.3 wt % aluminum, 0.17 to 0.60 wt % manganese, 0.0 to 0.8 wt % zinc, 1.8 to 3.2 wt % calcium, 0.3 to 2.2 wt % tin, and 0.0 to 0.5 wt % strontium. The alloy may comprising up to 0.004 wt % iron, up to 0.001 wt % nickel, up to 0.003 wt % copper, or up to 0.03 wt % silicon. In addition, the alloy may comprise up to 0.001 wt % beryllium.

Abstract: A magnesium-based alloy containing at least 92 wt % magnesium, 2.7 to 3.3 wt % neodymium, 0.0 to 2.6 wt % yttrium, 0.2 to 0.8 wt % zirconium, 0.2 to 0.8 wt % zinc, 0.03 to 0.25 wt % calcium, and 0.00 to 0.001 wt % beryllium. The alloy may additionally contain up to 0.007 wt % iron, up to 0.002 wt % nickel, up to 0.003 wt % copper, and up to 0.01 wt % silicon, and incidental impurities. The alloy may contain from 0.2 to 0.5 wt % Zn, and from 0.03 to 0.15 wt % Ca, and 2.9-3.2 wt % Nd, 1.9-2.1 wt % Y, 0.3-0.5 wt % Zr, 0.2-0.4 wt % Zn, and 0.03-0.12 wt % Ca.

Abstract: A magnesium-based alloy containing at least 92 wt % magnesium, 2.7 to 3.3 wt % neodymium, 0.0 to 2.6 wt % yttrium, 0.2 to 0.8 wt % zirconium, 0.2 to 0.8 wt % zinc, 0.03 to 0.25 wt % calcium, and 0.00 to 0.001 wt % beryllium. The alloy may additionally contain up to 0.007 wt % iron, up to 0.002 wt % nickel, up to 0.003 wt % copper, and up to 0.01 wt % silicon, and incidental impurities. The alloy may contain from 0.2 to 0.5 wt % Zn, and from 0.03 to 0.15 wt % Ca, and 2.9-3.2 wt % Nd, 1.9-2.1 wt % Y, 0.3-0.5 wt % Zr, 0.2-0.4 wt % Zn, and 0.03-0.12 wt % Ca.

Abstract: A magnesium based alloy containing at least 86 wt % Mg; 4.8 to 9.2 wt % aluminum, 0.08 to 0.38 wt % manganese, 0.00 to 0.9 wt % zinc, 0.2 to 1.2 wt % calcium, 0.05 to 1.4 wt % strontium, and 0.00 to 0.8 wt % rare earth elements. The alloy may also comprise up to 0.02 wt % zirconium and up to 0.001 wt % beryllium.

Abstract: A magnesium based alloy containing at least 85.4 wt % Mg, 4.7 to 7.3 wt % aluminum, 0.17 to 0.60 wt % manganese, 0.0 to 0.8 wt % zinc, 1.8 to 3.2 wt % calcium, 0.3 to 2.2 wt % tin, and 0.0 to 0.5 wt % strontium. The alloy may comprising up to 0.004 wt % iron, up to 0.001 wt % nickel, up to 0.003 wt % copper, or up to 0.03 wt % silicon. In addition, the alloy may comprise up to 0.001 wt % beryllium.

Abstract: A magnesium based alloy for high pressure die casting, comprising at least 83 wt % magnesium; 4.5 to 10 wt % Al; wt % Zn that is comprised in one of the two ranges 0.01 to 1 and 5 to 10; 0.15 to 1.0 wt % Mn; 0.05 to 1 wt % of rare earth elements; 0.01 to 0.2 wt % Sr; 0.0005 to 0.0015 wt % Be; and calcium in an amount higher than 0.3 (wt % Al -4.0).sup.0.5 wt % and lower than 1.2 wt %. The alloy may further comprise incidental impurities. The alloy may comprise at least 88 wt % magnesium, 4.5 to 10 wt % Al, 0.1 to 1 wt % of rare earth elements. The alloy may contain 5 to 10 wt % Zn and 0.1 to 1 wt % of rare earth elements, and wherein the zinc content is related to the aluminum content by the formula: wt % Zn=8.2-2.2 in (wt % Al -3.5).

Abstract: A weightening composition for weightening a molten salt in the refinement of magnesium or magnesium alloys, characterized in that it comprises one or more bromide salts, selected from among NaBr, KBr, MgBr.sub.2 or CaBr.sub.2.