Biocompatibility and Mechanical Properties of Zinc-based Alloys for Orthopaedics Application: A Review

Orthopaedics is a medical and surgical speciality that deals with the bones of the human skeletal system. Arthritis, fibromyalgia, fractures, osteoporosis, scoliosis, kyphosis, and bursitis are some of the most frequent conditions in orthopaedics. With a 7.6% compound annual growth rate, the global orthopaedic joint replacement market was valued at USD 20.00 billion in 2019 and is predicted to increase to USD 26.89 billion by 2027. This raises the question of the best material that can be evolved to address this problem. Researchers have identified three biocompatible and biodegradable alloys to answer the challenge of a double surrey—metal alloys of zinc, magnesium, and iron. Mg, Zn, and Fe are exciting materials for medical implants, but they have drawbacks if they are not allowed. Mg has better mechanical qualities than zinc metal and mechanical properties similar to human bone but degrades too quickly. Fe possesses the mechanical qualities required, but it degrades too slowly. Zn degrades optimally in a biological environment but lacks the mechanical qualities that make it an excellent load-bearing metal. This review will look at different metal alloying components that have been reported in the literature that can improve zinc's mechanical characteristics and biocompatibility. Furthermore, this review provides insights into possible metal alloy bases already employed in the literature.