The currently most widely used method of additive manufacturing (AM) of metals is the layer-by-layer exposure of metal powder with a laser. The powder particles are melted, the melt flows together and solidifies into a compact structure. This process is therefore referred to as laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) or laser beam melting (LBM). Various machine manufacturers have coined other terms, although Selective Laser Melting (SLM®) is the most common term in the technical literature and is therefore also used here. 

GOALS

The first sub-goal of the proposed research project is to explore the possibilities of processing zinc alloys with SLM for prototypes and small series in a cross-industry approach. The mechanical properties, density and corrosion behaviour of SLM test specimens will be compared with corresponding die-cast test specimens. 

One particularly attractive and forward-looking aspect is the use of zinc for SLM-manufactured implants. Zinc is considered to have good bioresorbability, i.e. it has a moderate corrosion rate in vivo and only low cytotoxicity. SLM would make it possible to produce customised implants with specific properties. Suitable bioresorbable Zn-Ag-Au alloys have already been developed as part of an earlier project and analysed in cooperation with the Medical Materials and Technology (MWT) section at the University Hospital of Tübingen.

Acknowledgement

The IGF project 21472 N of the research association Edelmetalle + Metallchemie is funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy via the AiF as part of the programme for the promotion of joint industrial research (IGF) on the basis of a resolution of the German Bundestag.