Biodegradable Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr alloy as an internal fixation material exhibits controlled degradation with enhanced osteogenesis.

Zinc (Zn) and its alloys are promising candidates for biodegradable metals in medical applications. However, their clinical use in internal fixation is hindered by low mechanical strength, uncontrolled corrosion, and insufficient bioactivity. To address these issues, we developed an extruded Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr ternary alloy and systematically evaluated its biological performance. In vitro corrosion tests indicated that Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr exhibited superior corrosion resistance, attributed to a dense passivation layer that provided effective protection, controlled degradation kinetics, and milder Zn(2+) release. The cytotoxicity of Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr toward pre-osteoblasts was concentration-dependent. Within the non-cytotoxic concentration range (Zn(2+) ≤8.98 μg mL(-1)), Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr promoted osteogenic differentiation more effectively than pure Zn. Further in vivo studies confirmed favorable biocompatibility and more uniform degradation of Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr, with reduced pitting corrosion and structural collapse. Notably, Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr exhibited superior performance in promoting bone regeneration and anti-inflammatory immunomodulation compared to pure Zn. These findings highlight Zn-0.8Mg-0.2Sr as a promising alternative to conventional internal fixation materials, offering favorable biocompatibility, controlled biodegradability, and enhanced osteogenesis.