Metallic stent which is degradable in vivo

A medical implant made of metal is claimed where the metal is degradable in vivo by corrosion. - Preferably the metal is analloy whose main component is an alkali (ne earth) metal, Fe, Zn or Al, especially Mg, Fe or Zn, and whose subsidiary component is Mn, Co, Ni, Cr, Cu, Cd, Pb, Sn, Th, Zr, Ag, Au, Pd, Pt, Si, Ca, Li, aluminum, and Zn and/or Fe. The alloys especially comprise (a) 50-98 (preferably 55-65) % Mg, 0-40 (preferably 30-40) % Li and 0-5% other metals; (b) 88-99% Fe, 0.1-4% Cr, 0.1-3.5% Ni and up to 5% other metals;or (c) 90-96% Fe, 3-6% Cr, 1-3% Ni and 0-5% other metals.