Additive manufacturing of porous magnesium alloys for biodegradable orthopedic implants: Process, design, and modification

Biodegradable magnesium (Mg) alloys exhibit excellent biocompatibility, adequate mechanical properties, and osteogenic effect. They can contribute to complete recovery of damaged tissues without concerns about a second surgery and have achieved clinical applications in orthopedic and cardiovascular fields. Porous scaffolds can provide functions such as bone integration and adjustable mechanical properties, thus widely used for bone repair. Additive manufacturing (AM) offers the advantages of design freedom and high precision, enabling the reliable production of porous scaffolds with customized structures. The combination of biodegradable Mg alloys, porous scaffolds, and AM processes has created tremendous opportunities for the precision treatment of bone defects. This article reviews the current development in the additive manufacturing process and design of Mg alloy biodegradable orthopedic implants, focusing on chemical compositions, structural design, surface treatment, and their effects on mechanical properties, degradation behavior, and biocompatibility. Finally, the future perspective of porous Mg alloy biodegradable orthopedic implants is proposed.(c) 2023 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.