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REVIEW ARTICLE

Laser Additive Manufacturing of Zinc Targeting for

Biomedical Application

Yan Zhou , Jingwen Wang , Youwen Yang , Mingli Yang *, Haizhong Zheng *, Deqiao Xie ,
1
3
2
1
4
2
Dongsheng Wang *, Lida Shen 4
1
1 Key Laboratory of Construction Hydraulic Robots of Anhui Higher Education Institutes, Tongling University, Tongling,
244061, China
2 Institute of Bioadditive Manufacturing, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, 330013, China
3 Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Forming and Joining Technology for Aerospace Components, Nanchang Hangkong University,
Nanchang, 330013, China
4 Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Precision and Micro-Manufacturing Technology, Nanjing University of Aeronautics and
Astronautics, Nanjing, 210016, China
Abstract: Biodegradable zinc (Zn) is expected to be used in clinical application like bone tissue engineering scaffolds, since
it possesses favorable biocompatibility and suitable degradation rate. Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF), which is a typical
additive manufacturing technique, offers tremendous advantages in fabricating medical devices with personalized geometric
shape and complex porous structure. Therefore, the combination of LPBF and biodegradable Zn has gained intensive attention
and also achieved rapid development in recent years. However, it severely challenges the formation quality and resultant
performance of LPBF-processed Zn-based materials, due to the evaporation and element loss during laser processing. In this
study, the current research status and future research trends for LPBF of Zn-based implants are reviewed from comprehensive
viewpoints including formation quality, microstructure feature, and performance. The influences of powder characteristics and
process parameters on formation quality are described systematically. The microstructure evolution, mechanical properties, as
well as the degradation behavior are also discussed. Finally, the research perspectives for LPBF of Zn are summarized, aiming
to provide guideline for future study.
Keywords: Additive manufacturing; Zinc implant; Formation quality; Microstructure; Mechanical properties

*Correspondences to: Mingli Yang, Institute of Bioadditive Manufacturing, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Nanchang, China;
yangmingli@mail.jxust.edu.cn; Haizhong Zheng, Jiangxi Key Laboratory of Forming and Joining Technology for Aerospace Components,
Nanchang, China; haizhongzheng@126.com; Dongsheng Wang, Key Laboratory of Construction Hydraulic Robots of Anhui Higher Education
Institutes, Tongling University, Tongling, China; wangdongsheng@tlu.edu.cn
Received: October 18, 2021; Accepted: December 7, 2021; Published Online: January 6, 2022

Citation: Zhou Y, Wang J, Yang Y, et al., 2022, Laser Additive Manufacturing of Zinc Targeting for Biomedical Application. Int J Bioprint,
8(1):501. http:// doi.org/10.18063/ijb.v8i1.501

1. Introduction of secondary surgery and economic burden on patients.
Biomedical metallic materials have a long history of being Meanwhile, the released metal ions have no obvious
[7]
used as implants such as bone fixation plate or screw, adverse effect on surrounding host tissue . It should
and cardiovascular stents, due to their comprehensive be noted that Mg degrades too rapid in human body
characteristics, including high strength, ductility, and environment, due to its high electrochemical activity
[8]
favorable machinability [1-3] . Particularly, biodegradable with a standard corrosion potential of −1.7 V . As for
[9]
biometal including iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), and zinc Fe, it degrades too slowly . It is reported that the full
(Zn) have recently gained intensive attention [4-6] . They degradation of Fe implant takes about several years, and
[10]
can be gradually degraded in vivo accompanying with its degradation product is difficult to be dissolved .
the regeneration of new tissue, thus mitigating the pain Unlike Mg and Fe, Zn possesses a relatively moderate
© 2022 Author(s). This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting distribution and
reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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