Mechanical and Degradation Behavior of Zinc‐Based Biodegradable Metal Foams

Abstract

Zinc has gained interest as a biodegradable material due to its adequate degradation behavior under physiological conditions and acceptable biocompatibility. However, during the use of zinc as a degradable orthopedical implant, the mechanical properties are expected to change while the implant needs to maintain its function and mechanical support for 12–24 months with the load gradually transferred from the degrading implant to the healing bone. For such investigation, six different kinds of open‐cell zinc foams are fabricated by a modified investment casting method displaying different pore densities and strut thicknesses. Compressive properties and corrosion behavior in simulated body fluids are studied to determine the map of the most relevant parameters that influence the degradation properties. After 4 weeks of immersion in Hank's solution, changes in the slope in the “plateau” region and strain localization are observed. These changes can be explained by supposing microcrack propagation into the depth of the struts due to the progressing corrosion attack.