Powder Metallurgical Processing and Characterization of Biocompatible Zn-Mg-Cu Alloys for Pediatric Orthopedic Applications

Abstract

The search for resorbable metals with suitable mechanical strength for pediatric orthopedic use is still ongoing. Previous research indicates that although magnesium and iron possess favorable mechanical properties, their corrosion rate is not suitable for this particular application. Zinc alloys, on the other hand, have a suitable corrosion rate, making them a potential candidate for orthopedic applications. This study aims to develop zinc-based resorbable alloys using powder metallurgical processing and to analyze their properties using various techniques (hardness, SEM, corrosion, antibacterial assay, and cell studies). It was concluded that the addition of copper has alleviated the density and microhardness of the zinc alloys due to the small grain size. Analysis of antibacterial properties revealed that the increased release of copper and zinc ions resulted in enhanced antibacterial activity. Additionally, the biocompatibility was improved by diluting the extract from a 100% to a 10% solution.