Abstract
Rising need for quality orthopedic plate implants requires more efficient and sustainable manufacturing techniques. Traditional manufacturing routes for these implants includes gravity casting, forging, and powder metallurgy. Such methods often suffer from limitations such as non-uniform microstructures, high energy consumption, prolonged processing times, and environmental concern. Microwave-assisted casting using the microwave hybrid heating (MHH) approach offers a promising alternative with rapid, uniform, and volumetric heating. Microwave-assisted casting of biomaterials has recently attracted research interest for producing cost-effective, high-quality biomedical implants. This review critically evaluates the current status of microwave-based processing and casting routes for biomedical implant fabrication. It provides a comprehensive perspective on microwave-assisted manufacturing as a viable next-generation approach for the production of orthopedic plate implants.