Influence of surface modifications on the functionality of zinc-based absorbable materials for applications in bone reconstructions

Zn-based alloys show properties suitable for the fabrication of absorbable implants. Despite this, the Zn-based absorbable materials are still not used in clinical practice. It is because a rather low resistance to the dynamic loading can be expected based on the basic properties of the Zn-based materials. Zn-based materials also suffer from inhomogeneous corrosion attacks and poor osseointegration. The aforementioned issues can be, principally, solved or limited by the application of suitable surface modification. Unfortunately, the surface treatment of Zn-based alloys is very poorly described in the literature. Within this project, we will study the influence of the surface treatment of a ZnMg0.8Sr0.2 absorbable alloy on its behavior. Electrochemical methods, laser micromachining and laser shock peening will be designed. Those methods were not applied yet on Zn-based materials. The knowledge we will obtain will be subsequently used in the design of a new surface treatment process, which will allow enhancing the functionality of the Zn-based biodegradable materials for bone surgery.