Magnesium: An Absorbable Nutrient Metal Whose Time has Come

A century ago, magnesium (Mg) was first used for fracture fixation. Despite its promise as an absorbable material, inconsistent material purity led to unpredictable outcomes, and the field pivoted toward permanent metals. Today, the “leave nothing behind” philosophy, combined with advanced metallurgy, has renewed interest in Mg as an absorbable implant material.

Modern Mg alloys offer 10x the stiffness of absorbable polymers, providing functional performance comparable to titanium while eliminating the long-term risks of permanent hardware or removal surgeries. This presentation explores Fort Wayne Metals’ ZXM100, a high-purity nutrient alloy (Mg-Zn-Ca-Mn). We will detail its mechanical properties, degradation profiles, and available forms in precision bar and wire. Attendees will gain insight into the unique design considerations necessary to successfully integrate Mg into next-generation orthopedic devices.

Attend this session by Fort Wayne Metals in Booth 725.