Improving the Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Micro-Architected Biodegradable Metals

Additively manufactured (AM) micro-architected biodegradable metals offer a unique combination of properties that are ideal for bone regeneration including biocompatibility, fully interconnected porous structure, and the possibility to regenerate bony defects with native tissue upon biodegradation. Currently, mechanical AM can only match values human trabecular bone, hindering their applications cortical regeneration. So far, different approaches have been applied improve metals. Here, we present state-of-the-art in focus on effects material composition, geometrical design, process, post-AM treatments properties. We also identify number challenges encountered adopting orthopedic from viewpoint suggest some promising areas future research.