Microstructure, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and in vitro corrosion and degradation behavior of a new Zn–5Ge alloy for biodegradable implant materials

[Display omitted] Zinc (Zn)-based alloys are considered a new class of biodegradable implant materials due to their superior chemical stability and processability compared to biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys. In this study, we report a new biodegradable Zn–5Ge alloy with highly desirable mechanical, corrosion, and biological properties. Microstructural characterization revealed the effective grain-refining effect of germanium (Ge) on the Zn alloy. Tensile test results indicated that the hot-rolled Zn–5Ge alloy showed an ultimate tensile strength of 237.0 MPa, a yield strength of 175.1 MPa, and an elongation of 21.6%; while as-cast pure Zn showed an ultimate tensile strength of 33.6 MPa, a yield strength of 29.3 MPa, and an elongation of 1.2%. The corrosion rates measured by potentiodynamic polarization tests in Hank’s solution in ascending order are: as-cast Zn–5Ge (0.1272 mm/y)