Development of biodegradable zinc-based alloys for orthopedic implants

The development of biodegradable bio-implants is essential since conventional titanium, cobalt, and stainless steel implants remain in the body after healing and may cause adverse reactions. To address this issue, we propose developing a biodegradable zinc-based alloy. Zinc, known for its biodegradability, is alloyed with biocompatible elements such as Mg, Ag, Cu, Fe, Ca, and Zr to enhance mechanical properties while maintaining biocompatibility. The main objective is to develop a low-cost resorbable Zn-Mg alloy doped with nutritive and antibacterial elements, and to optimize its microstructure, mechanical performance, and biocompatibility.