Recent Developments in Additive-Manufactured Intermetallic Compounds for Bio-Implant Applications

Purpose This paper reviews the recent developments of two newly developed intermetallic compounds (IMCs) of metallic glasses (MGs) and high-entropy alloys (HEAs) as potential implantable biomaterials. Methods The paper commences by summarizing the fundamental properties of recently developed MGs and high-entropy alloys (HEAs). A systematic review is presented of the recent literature about the use of AM technology in fabricating MG and HEA components for biological implant applications. Results The high strength, low Young’s modulus, and excellent corrosion resistance make these IMCs good candidates as bio-implantable materials. Recent studies have shown that additive manufacturing (AM) techniques provide an advantageous route for the preparation of glassy metallic components due to their intrinsically rapid cooling rates and ability to fabricate parts with virtually no size or complexity constraints. A practical example is conducted by AM producing a porous gradient Ti-based MG spinal cage. The produced MG powders and the in vivo test results on an 18 M-old Lanyu pig confirm the feasibility of the AM technique for producing implantable IMC-based prosthesis. Conclusion The non-crystalline structure of MGs alloy and the random crystalline composition of HEAs provide unique material properties that will substantially impact the development of future implantable prostheses.