Additive Manufacturing of Magnesium Alloys and Shape Memory Alloys for Biomedical Applications: Challenges and Opportunities

Magnesium alloysMagnesium alloys have emerged as a new class of biomaterialsBiomaterials due to their unique properties, such as biodegradabilityBiodegradability, biocompatibilityBiocompatibility, and high stiffness similar to human bones. Shape memory alloysShape memory alloys (SMA) have also become promising biomaterialsBiomaterials for use in biomedical applicationsBiomedical applications, including orthopedics, because of their excellent multi-functional properties, fatigue resistance, and biocompatibilityBiocompatibility. Recently, the ability to produce patient-specific parts with complex geometries and improved multi-functionality has drawn great attention towards additive manufacturing (AMAdditive manufacturing (AM)) processesProcess to produce biomedicalBiomedical device components. This paper provides an analysis of the manufacturing conditions for producing magnesium-based and shape memory biomaterialsBiomaterials improved by rare-earth elements (REEs) and critical minerals using AMAdditive manufacturing (AM) techniques, particularly the laser powder bed fusionLaser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) (L-PBF) processProcess. Microstructural evolutionsMicrostructural evolution, mechanical propertiesMechanical properties, and corrosionCorrosion behavior resulting from processing parameters and alloying elements are investigated to recognize the knowledge gaps and recommend future research directions for the development of additively manufactured biomaterialsBiomaterials.