Modification of Iron with Degradable Silver Phases Processed via Laser Beam Melting for Implants with Adapted Degradation Rate

In medical technology, implants are used to improve the quality of patients’ lives. The development of materials with adapted properties can further increase the benefit of implants. If implants are only needed temporarily, biodegradable materials are beneficial. In this context, iron‐based materials are promising due to their biocompatibility and mechanical properties, but the degradation rate needs to be accelerated. Apart from alloying, the creation of noble phases to cause anodic dissolution of the iron‐based matrix is promising. Due to its high electrochemical potential, immiscibility with iron, biocompatibility, and antibacterial properties, silver is suited for the creation of such phases. A suitable technology for processing immiscible material combinations is powder‐bed‐based procedure like laser beam melting. This procedure offers short exposure times to high temperatures and therefore a limited time for diffusion of alloying elements. As the silver phases remain after the dissolution of the iron matrix, a modification is needed to ensure their degradability. Following this strategy, pure iron with 5 wt% of a degradable silver–calcium–lanthanum alloy is processed via laser beam melting. Investigation of the microstructure yields achievement of the intended microstructure and long‐term degradation tests indicates an impact on the degradation, but no increased degradation rate. For the application of bioresorbable iron‐based implants, their degradation rate must be increased. Modification with degradable silver phases can cause anodic dissolution of the iron matrix. Iron modified with a silver alloy insoluble in iron is successfully processed via laser beam melting. Immersion tests reveal an impact of the silver phases but no increased degradation rate.