Evaluation of Microstructure, Mechanical Properties and Biocompatibility of Biodegradable Zinc-Based Alloys for Implants

The use of biodegradable metallic materials for implants is growing in popularity within the biomaterials industry due to their superior mechanical properties and degradation rates compared to polymeric materials. Zinc and its alloys have been studied in recent years as possible candidates for biodegradable stent applications. This study aims to formulate and evaluate a new series of Zn–Ti/Cu alloys with the goal of finding an alloy that meets the standard mechanical properties required for biodegradable implants. The alloys were produced using vacuum induction melting, and various experiments were conducted to determine the effect of adding titanium and copper on the mechanical properties of zinc. The study looked at factors such as microstructure, mechanical properties, cytotoxicity, and antibacterial properties. The results showed that copper provided improved cytocompatibility and effectively eliminated bacterial reactions, and the mechanical results indicated that zinc-copper alloys had greater strength than other alloys. Thus, it can be concluded that Zn–Ti/Cu alloys are a viable option for biodegradable implant applications.