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.
