BIODEGRADABLE ZINC ALLOYS AND COMPOSITES FOR BIOMEDICAL APPLICATION: AN OVERVIEW OF PROCESSING ROUTES AND POSSIBLE FUTURE WORK

Biodegradable metallic implants are revolutionized alternative materials currently being considered for orthopaedic and stents applications for the restoration and remodeling of defected or fractured hard tissues. Examples of biodegradable metals include magnesium, iron and zinc. Findings had revealed that magnesium and iron show high tendencies of being used as biodegradable metallic implant. However, premature loss of mechanical integrity, high hydrogen gas evolution of magnesium metal as well as slow degradation rate of iron below the clinical benchmark had hindered their applications. On the other hand, Zinc metal with near to ideal degradation rate suitable for orthopaedic application but poor mechanical properties compared to magnesium and iron metals has recently attracted research interest as potential candidate salvager of biodegradable metallic implants. This paper therefore, presents brief review of the current research progress on biodegradable zinc alloys and composites in relation to their processing routes for biomedical application. In addition, key existing and emerging strategies for mechanical properties improvement are highlighted. Processing technique, types and or proportion of alloying elements had been identified as center-hub control for improving mechanical properties of zinc metals. Deductions were made and strategies for further research work on biodegradable zinc alloys were suggested

Abstract licence: CC BY-NC

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