LPBF Prints Zinc–Silver–Copper Alloys For Biodegradable Implants

Researchers have used Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) to 3D print zinc–silver–copper alloys and report promising cytocompatibility for future biodegradable implants.

Zinc-based alloys have emerged as a promising alternative to traditional biodegradable materials like magnesium and iron for medical implants. The advantage: zinc degrades at a rate closer to tissue healing, and its mechanical properties can be tuned more precisely.

The addition of small amounts of silver and copper improves both corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties — critical for implants that need to survive in the body environment while avoiding infection.

LPBF allows for complex, patient-specific geometries that traditional manufacturing methods cannot achieve. This is particularly valuable for custom orthopedic implants, vascular stents, and other medical devices that must match individual patient anatomy.

The research represents a step forward in the broader effort to create fully biodegradable implants that dissolve harmlessly after serving their purpose, eliminating the need for secondary removal surgeries.