Additive manufacturing of zinc-based biomaterials: Fabrication, performance and property evaluation

The use of zinc and its alloys in additive manufacturing has become an important focus in interventional medical field. This is because zinc as an implant is naturally degradable, has solid mechanical characteristics, and is biocompatible. Biodegradable Zn-based metals made with additive manufacturing offer significant advantages in creating personalized medical implants. This review aims to provide an overview of different types of additive manufacturing methods and processes that can be used in the fabrication of Zn-based medical implants. It offers a comprehensive understanding of additive-manufactured Zn-based alloys for interventional surgeries. The study also summarizes the relationships between degradation properties, mechanical properties, antibacterial activity, and biocompatibility of additive-manufactured Zn-based biomaterials prepared via different fabrication techniques. Additionally, the review analyses various strategies for overcoming core challenges associated with Zn-based medical implants prepared by additive manufacturing. Finally, the review also proposes future directions for addressing biodegradability and biocompatibility in additive-manufactured Zn-based materials for scaffolding and orthopaedic implant applications. Overall, this study serves as a foundation for future research into the design of biodegradable Zn-based alloys, specifically for tissue scaffolding and bone repairs, and provides insights into their clinical prospects.