Additive manufacturing of biodegradable magnesium-based materials: Design strategies, properties, and biomedical applications

Magnesium (Mg)-based materials are a new generation of alloys with the exclusive ability to be biodegradable within the human/animal body. In addition to biodegradability, their inherent biocompatibility and similar-to-bone density make Mg-based alloys good candidates for fabricating surgical bioimplants for use in orthopedic and traumatology treatments. To this end, nowadays additive manufacturing (AM) along with three-dimensional (3D) printing represents a promising manufacturing technique as it allows for the integration of bioimplant design and manufacturing processes specific to given applications. Meanwhile, this technique also faces many new challenges associated with the properties of Mg-based alloys, including high chemical reactivity, potential for combustion, and low vaporization temperature. In this review article, various AM processes to fabricate biomedical implants from Mg-based alloys, along with their metallic microstructure, mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties, as well as various post-AM treatments were critically reviewed. Also, the challenges and issues involved in AM processes from the perspectives of bioimplant design, properties, and applications were identified; the possibilities and potential scope of the Mg-based scaffolds/implants are discussed and highlighted.(c) 2023 Chongqing University. Publishing services provided by Elsevier B.V. on behalf of KeAi Communications Co. Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ ) Peer review under responsibility of Chongqing University

Automated summary

Magnesium-based materials have the unique ability to biodegrade within the human/animal body, making them suitable for fabricating surgical bioimplants. Additive manufacturing (AM) and three-dimensional (3D) printing are promising techniques for bioimplant design and manufacturing, despite challenges related to the properties of magnesium-based alloys. This review article critically examines various AM processes, mechanical and biocompatible properties, as well as the challenges and possibilities of magnesium-based implants.