1

METALLIC IMPLANT MATERIALS 1

2
3
4
ABSTRACT 5
With increase in the average age of the population has, in turn, led to a rapidly increasing 6
number of surgical procedures involving prosthesis implantation, because as the human body 7
ages, the load-bearing joints become more prone to ailments. This has resulted in an urgent 8
need for improved biomaterials and processing technologies for implants, more so for 9
orthopaedic and dental. We are using different biomaterial like metal. Polymer, ceramic and 10
composites for implants for implant application. Among them metallic implants is the oldest 11
one and still the best in strength, ductility and durability.Metallic biomaterials continue to be 12
used extensively for the fabrication of surgical implants due to high strength and resistance to 13
fracture along with a relative ease of fabrication of both simple and complex shapes using 14
well-established and widely available fabrication techniques. They are used in joint 15
replacement, hip/knee replacement, cochlear implants, cardiovascular implants, dental 16
implants etc. In this paper we are discussing about different metal implants and their 17
advantages. 18
19
1. INTRODUCTION 20
In surgery, a biocompatible material (sometimes shortened to biomaterial) is a synthetic 21
material used to replace part of a living system or to function in intimate contact with living 22
tissue. The Clemson University Advisory Board for Biomaterials has formally defined a 23
biomaterial to be a systematically and pharmacologically inert substance designed for 24
implantation within or incorporation with living systems. By contrast a biological material is 25
a material such as bone matrix or tooth enamel, produced by a biological system. [1] 26
The use of biomaterials is shown in Table 1, which include replacement of a body part that 27
has lost function due to disease or trauma, to assist in healing, to improve function, and to 28
correct abnormalities. 29
Biomaterials can be classified from the point of view of the problem area that is to be solved 30
(Table 1), the body on a tissue level, an organ level (Table 2), or a system level (Table 3). 31
Also classified as metals, polymers, ceramics and composites (Table 4). 32
33
1.1. Need for implants 34
Joints such as hips, knees, and shoulders are often prone to degenerative and inflammatory 35
diseases that result in pain and joint stiffness.[2] Apart from the usual decay of articular 36
cartilage due to age, there are many illnesses such as osteoarthritis (inflammation of bone), 37
rheumatoid arthritis (inflammation of synovial membrane), and chondromalacia (softening of 38
cartilage) which affect the joints. The bone cell density of a osteoporosis bone is 39
substantially lower than normal bone. Such premature joint degeneration may arise mainly 40
from three conditions: deficiencies in joint biomaterial properties, excessive loading 41
conditions, and failure of normal repair [2]. Although minor surgical treatments are done to 42
provide temporary relief to numerous patients, there is a consensus that the ultimate step is to 43
replace the dysfunctional natural joints for prolonged pain relief and mobility. Arthroplasty is 44
an operative procedure of orthopedic surgery performed, in which the arthritic or 45
dysfunctional joint surface is replaced with something better .Currently, one of the main 46
achieve-ments in the field of arthroplasty is Total Joint Replacement (TJR), where the entire 47

2

load-bearing joint (mainly in the knee, hip, or shoul-der) is replaced surgically by ceramic, 48
metal, or polymeric artificial materials. As stated earlier, the problem is that not all artificial 49
materials could be used for such purposes, only the ones that fulfil certain broad 50
specifications. 51
similarly the human tooth, consisting of enamel, dentin, pulp, and cementum, is a highly 52
specialized calcified structure used to break down food. It is a site where most surgical 53
procedures in humans are performed. 54
55
1.2.Implant Properties 56
The property requirements of a modern-dayimplant can broadly be categorized into three 57
equally important features. 58
1. The human body must be compatible with the material used for the prosthesis. 59
2. The implant should have the desired balance of mechanical and physical properties 60
necessary to perform as expected. 61
3. The device under question should be relatively easy to fabricate, being reproducible. 62
Apart from these factors, the selection of the implant material itself is the principal 63
criterion for proper functioning. Material should be biologically and mechanically 64
compatible. . For example, plastic or ceramic material is used for smaller implants like 65
cochlear and dental prostheses. However, for making total hip replacements and total knee 66
replacements, metallic implants the best candidate due to their higher tensile load-bearing 67
capabilities. 68
2. METALLIC IMPLANTS 69
2.1 Importance of Metallic Implants. 70
Metallic biomaterials continue to be used extensively for the fabrication of surgical 71
implants due to high strength and resistance to fracture along with a relative ease of 72
fabrication of both simple and complex shapes using well-established and widely available 73
fabrication techniques. They are used in joint replacement, hip/knee replacement, cochlear 74
implants, cardiovascular implants, dental implants etc. Various metal implants and their uses 75
are noted in table 5. 76
2.2. Types of metallic implant materials 77
Most metals such as iron (Fe), chromium (Cr), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), titanium (Ti), 78
tantalum (Ta), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo), and tungsten (W) that were used to make 79
alloys for manufacturing implants.[4] Sometimes those metallic elements, in naturally 80
occurring forms, are essential in red blood cell functions (Fe) or synthesis of a vitamin B-12 81
(Co), but cannot be tolerated in large amounts in the body. [4] The biocompatibility of the 82
metallic implant is of considerable concern because these implants can corrode in an in vivo 83
environment [5]. The consequences of corrosion are the disintegration of the implant 84
material per se, which will weaken the implant, and the harmful effect of corrosion products 85
on the surrounding tissues and organs. [6]. 86
87
The various metals and alloys used for implant fabrications are 88
- Stainless steels 89

3

- Cobalt based alloys 90
- Titanium and titanium based alloys 91
- Dental metals 92
- Other metals 93
2.2.1 Stainless Steel 94
The family of alloy steels usually containing 10 to 30 percent chromium is called stainless 95
steel. In conjunction with low carbon contents, chromium imparts remarkable resistance to 96
corrosion and heat. Other elements such as nickel, molybdenum, titanium, aluminum, 97
niobium, copper, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, and selenium may be added to increase 98
corrosion resistance to specific environments, enhance oxidation resistance, and impart 99
special characteristics. 100
The first metal alloy developed specifically for human use was the vanadium steel which 101
was used to manufacture bone fracture plates (Sherman plates) and screws. It is no 102
longerused in implants due to inadequate corrosion resistance. [8] The first stainless steel 103
utilized for implant fabrication was the 18-8 (type 302 in modern classification), which is 104
stronger and more resistant to corrosion than the vanadium steel. To increase the corrosion 105
resistance a small percentage of Molybdenum is introduced (type 316). Carbon content of 106
316 stainless steel was reduced from 0.08 to a maximum amount of 0.03% and it became 107
known as type 316L stainless steel. 108
The austenitic stainless steels, especially types 316 and 316L are most widely used for 109
implants. These are not hard enable by heat treatment but can be hardened by cold-working. 110
This group of stainless steels is nonmagnetic and possesses better corrosion resistance than 111
any others. The inclusion of molybdenum enhances resistance to pitting corrosion in salt 112
water. The ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) recommends type 316L 113
rather than 316 for implant fabrication. The specifications for 316 and 316L stainless steels 114
are given in Table 6. 115
116
Properties of stainless steels 117
118
A wide range of properties can be obtained for 316 and 316L depending on the heat treatment 119
(to obtain softer materials) or cold working (for greater strength and hardness). The designer 120
must be careful when selecting materials of this type. Even the type 316L stainless steels may 121
corrode inside the body under certain circumstances such as in a highly stressed and oxygen- 122
depleted region. They are however, suitable to use in temporary devices such as fracture 123
plates, screws, and hip nails, some joint replacement components [8,9] 124
Surface modification methods such as anodization, passivation, and glow-discharge 125
nitrogen-implantation, are widely used in order to improve corro-sion resistance, wear 126
resistance, and fatiguestrength of 316L stainless steel [8] 127
128
129
2.2.2. Cobalt Based Alloys 130
131
These materials are usually referred to as cobalt-chromium alloys. There are basically two 132
types 133
- the castable CoCrMo 134
- CoNiCrMo alloy, which is usually wrought by (hot) forging. 135

4

The castable CoCrMo alloy has been used in making artificial joints. The wrought 136
CoNiCrMo alloy is a newcomer now used for making the stems of prosthesis for heavily 137
loaded joints such as the knee and hip. 138
The two basic elements of the CoCr alloys form a solid solution of up to 65% Co. The 139
molybdenumis added to produce finer grains which results in higher strengths after casting or 140
forging. The chromiumenhances corrosion resistance as well as solid solution strengthening 141
of the alloy. 142
143
144
Types and compositions of Co-Based Alloys 145
ASTM lists four types of Co based alloys that are recommended for surgical implant 146
applications. 147
1. cast CoCrMo alloy (F67) 148
2. wrought CoCrWNi alloy (F90) 149
3. wrought CoNiCrMo alloy (F562) 150
4. wrought CoNiCrMoWFe alloy (F563) 151
At the present time, only two of the four alloys are used extensively in implant fabrications, 152
the castable CoCrMo and the wrought CoNiCrMo alloy.Chemical Composition of Co-Based 153
Alloys is given in table 7.[8] 154
155
Properties of Co-Based Alloys 156
157
The two basic elements of the Co-based alloys form a solid solution of up to 65 wt% Co and 158
the remainder is Cr. Molybdenum is added to produce finer grains, which results in higher 159
strengths after casting or forging. 160
161
The wrought Co-based alloy CoNiCrMo alloy has a higher degree of corrosion resistance 162
to sea water (containing chloride ions) under stress. The cold working can increase the 163
strength of the alloy. The abrasive properties of this alloy are similar to the cast CoCrMo 164
alloy. However the former is not recommended for the bearing surfaces of a joint. The 165
superior fatigue and ultimate tensile strength of the wrought CoNiCrMo alloy make it very 166
suitable for applications requiring long service without fracture or stress failure, thus used for 167
stems of the hip joint prostheses. This advantage is more appreciated when the implant has to 168
be replaced with another one since it is quite difficult to remove the failed piece of implant 169
embedded deep in the femoral medullary canal.[7] 170
As is the case with other alloys, the increased strength is accompanied by decreased 171
ductility. Both the cast and wrought alloys have excellent corrosion resistance. The modulus 172
of elasticity for the cobalt based alloys does not change with the change in their ultimate 173
tensile strength. 174
The castable CoCrMo alloy has been used in making artificial joints. The wrought 175
CoNiCrMo alloy is a newcomer now used for making the stems of prosthesis for heavily 176
loaded joints such as the knee and hip.[11] 177
. 178
2.2.3. Titanium And Titanium Based Alloys 179
180
Attempts to use titanium for implant fabrication date to the late 1930s. it was found that 181
titanium was tolerated in femurs as was stainless steel and Vitallium (CoCrMo alloy). Its 182
lightness (4.5 g/cu cm compared to 7.9 g/cu cm for 316 stainless steel, 8.3 g/cu cm for cast 183
CoCrMo, and 9.2 g/cu cm for wrought CoNiCrMo alloys) and good mechanical properties 184
are salient features for implant application. 185

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Composition of Ti and Ti-Based Alloys 186
187
There are four grades of unalloyed titanium for surgical implant applications. The impurity 188
contents separate them; oxygen, iron, and nitrogen should be controlled carefully. Oxygen in 189
particular has a great influence on the ductility and strength. 190
191
One Titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) is widely used to manufacture implants. The main alloying 192
elements of the alloy are Aluminum (5.5-6.5 %) and Vanadium (3.5-4.5 wt %). 193
Chemical Composition of Titanium and its Alloys is shown in table 8. 194
195
Titanum Nickel Alloys 196
197
The nickel-titanium alloys show an unusual property, i.e., after the material is deformed it can 198
snap back to its previous shape following heating the material. This phenomenon is called 199
shape memory effect (SME. The equiatomic Ni- Ti alloy (Nitinol) exhibits an exceptional 200
SME near room temperature 201
202
Properties of NiTi Alloys 203
The SME can be generally due to martensite and autensite transformation At high 204
temperatures, nitinol assumes an interpenetrating primitive cubic crystal structure referred to 205
as austenite (also known as the parent phase). At low temperatures, nitinol spontaneously 206
transforms to a more complicated monoclinic crystal structure known as martensite(daughter 207
phase). This transformation is reversible. 208
Some possible applications of shape memory alloys are orthodontic dental arch wires, 209
intracranial aneurysm clips, a vena cava filter, and contractile artificial muscles for an 210
artificial heart, orthopedic implants and other medical devices.Chemical Composition of Ni- 211
Ti Alloys is shown in table 9 212
213
Structure and Properties of Ti and Ti-Based Alloys 214
215
Titanium is an allotropic material that exists as a hexagonal close packed structure (hcp, -Ti) 216
up to 882
o
C and body centered cubic structure (bcc, -Ti) above that temperature. The 217
addition of alloying elements to titanium enables it to have a wide range of properties. 218
219
1. Aluminum tends to stabilize the -phase, that is increase the transformation temperature 220
from - to -phase . 221
2. Vanadium stabilizes the -phase by lowering the temperature of the transformation from 222
to . 223
224
Titanium derives its resistance to oxidation by the formation of a solid oxide layer. Under in 225
vivo conditions the oxide (TiO2) is the only stable reaction product. The oxide layer forms a 226
thin adherent film and passivates the material. [1] 227
Titanium is mainly used in joint implants and dental implants. 228
229
2.2.4 Dental Metals 230
2.2.4.1 Dental Amalgam 231
An amalgam is an alloy in which one of the component metals is mercury. The rationale for 232
using mercury as a tooth filling material is that since mercury is a liquid at room temperature, 233
it can react with other metals such as silver and tin and form a plastic mass that can be packed 234
into the cavity, and that hardens (sets) with time. To fill a cavity, the dentist mixes solid 235

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alloy, supplied in particulate form, with mercury in a mechanical triturator. The resulting 236
material is readily deformable and is then packed into the prepared cavity. The solid alloy is 237
composed of atleast 65% silver, and not more than 29% tin, 6% copper, 2% zinc, 3% 238
mercury. 239
240
2.2.4.2 Gold and gold alloys 241
Gold and gold alloys are useful metals in dentistry as a result of their durability, stability 242
and corrosion resistance. Gold fillings are introduced by two methods: casting and malleting. 243
Cast restorations are made by taking a wax impression of the prepared cavity, making a mold 244
from this impression in a material such as gypsum silica, which tolerates high temperature, 245
and casting molten gold in the mold. The patient is given a temporary filling for the 246
intervening time. 247
Gold alloys are also used for cast restorations, since they have mechanical properties that 248
are superior to those of pure gold. Corrosion resistance is retained in these alloys provided 249
they contain 75% or more of gold and other noble metals. Copper, alloyed with gold, 250
significantly increases its strength. Platinum also improves the strength, but no more than 251
about 4% can be added, or the melting point of the alloy is elevated excessively. Silver 252
compensates for the colour of copper.[1] A small amount of zinc may be added to lower the 253
melting point and to scavenge oxides formed during melting. Gold alloys of different 254
composition are available. Softer alloys containing more than 83% gold are used for inlays, 255
which are not subjected to much stress. Harder alloys containing less gold are chosen for 256
crowns and cusps which are more heavily stressed. 257
Pure gold is relatively soft, so this type of restoration is limited to areas not subjected to 258
much stress. 259
260
2.2.5 Other Metals 261
Several other metals have been used for a variety of specialized implant applications. 262
Tantalum has been subjected to animal implant studies and has been shown very 263
biocompatible. Due to its poor mechanical properties and its high density (16.6 g/cm3), it is 264
restricted to few applications such as wire sutures for plastic surgeons and neurosurgeons and 265
a radioisotope for bladder tumors.[8] 266
Platinum and other noble metals in the platinum group are extremely corrosion resistant but 267
have poor mechanical properties. They are mainly used as alloys for electrodes such as 268
pacemaker tips and cochlear implants[10] because of their high resistance to corrosion and 269
low threshold potentials. 270
271
3. CORROSION OF METALLIC IMPLANTS 272
One of the main problem of metallic implants in human body is corrosion. Corrosion is 273
the unwanted chemical reaction of a metal with its environment, resulting in its continued 274
degradation to oxides, hydroxides, or other compounds. 275
Tissue fluid in the human body contains water, dissolved oxygen, proteins, and various ions 276
such as chloride and hydroxide. As a result, the human body presents a very aggressive 277
environment to metals used for implantation. Corrosion resistance of a metallic implant 278
material is consequently an important aspect of its biocompatibility. 279
280
3.1. Corrosion of Available Metals 281
Choice of a metal for implantation should take into account the corrosion properties Metals 282
that are in current use as biomaterials include gold, cobalt-chromium alloys, type 316 283
stainless steel, titanium, nickel-titanium alloys, and silver-mercury amalgam. 284

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The noble metals are immune to corrosion and would be ideal materials if corrosion 285
resistance were the only concern. Gold is widely used in dental restorations and in that setting 286
it offers superior performance and longevity. Gold is not, however, used in orthopaedic 287
applications as a result of its high density, insufficient strength, and high cost. 288
Titanium is a base metal in the context of the electrochemical series; however, it forms a 289
robust passivation layer and, it remains passive under physiological conditions. Corrosion 290
currents in normal saline are very low: 10-8 A/cm2. Titanium implants remain virtually 291
unchanged in appearance. Ti offers superior corrosion resistance but is not as stiff or strong 292
as steel. 293
Cobalt-chromium alloys, like titanium, are passive in the human body. They are widely in 294
use in orthopaedic applications. They do not exhibit pitting. 295
Stainless steels contain enough chromium to confer corrosion resistance by passivity. The 296
passive layer is not as robust as in the case of titanium or the cobalt-chromium alloys. Only 297
the most corrosion resistant of the stainless steels are suitable for implants. These are the 298
austenitic types 316, 316L, and 317, which contain molybdenum. Even these types of 299
stainless steel are vulnerable to pitting and to crevice corrosion around screws. 300
301
3.2.Minimization of Corrosion 302
303
Although laboratory investigations are essential in the choice of a metal, clinical evaluation 304
in follow-up is also essential. Corrosion of an implant in the clinical setting can result in 305
symptoms such as local pain and swelling in the region of the implant, with no evidence of 306
infection; cracking or flaking of the implant as seen on X-ray films, and excretion of excess 307
metal ions. At surgery, grey or black discoloration of the surrounding tissue may be seen, and 308
flakes of metal may be found in the tissue. Corrosion also plays a role in the mechanical 309
failures of orthopaedic implants. Most of these failures are due to fatigue, and the presence of 310
a saline environment certainly exacerbates fatigue. 311
312
Experience in the orthopaedic setting suggests that corrosion is minimized by the following: 313
314
l. Use appropriate metals. 315
2. Avoid implantation of different types of metal in the same region. In the manufacturing 316
process, provide matched parts from the same batch of the same variant of a given alloy. 317
3. Design the implant to minimize pits and crevices. 318
4. In surgery, avoid transfer of metal from tools to the implant or tissue. A avoid contact 319
between metal tools and the implant, unless special care is taken. 320
5. Recognize that a metal that resists corrosion in one body environment may corrode in 321
another part of the body. 322
323
4. DISCUSSION 324
The strength and the modulus of elasticity of the metallic implants vary from metals to 325
metals and type of metals used in alloy. Entire properties of the metal vary by slight variation 326
in composition. The modulous of elasticity properties of commercially pure and 6Al4V 327
alloys is about 110GPa, which is half the value of Co-based alloys. The higher impurity 328
content leads to higher strength and reduced ductility. The strength of the material varies 329
much lower than that of 316 stainless steel or the Co-based alloys to a value about equal to 330
that of annealed 316 stainless steel of the cast CoCrMo alloy. However, when compared by 331
the specific strength (strength per density) the titanium alloy excels over any other implant 332
material. Titanium, nevertheless, has poor shear strength, making it less desirable for bone 333

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screws, plates, and similar applications. It also tends to gall or seize when in sliding contact 334
with itself or another metal. 335
The yield strength or yield point of a material is defined stress at which a material begins 336
to deform plastically. Yield strength of various metals are shown in fig.1. 337
338
Metallic biomaterials widely for the fabrication of surgical implants due to high strength 339
and resistance to fracture along with a relative ease of fabrication. They are used in joint 340
replacement, hip/knee replacement, cochlear implants, cardiovascular implants, dental 341
implants etc. the main dis advantage of metallic implants is the chance of corrosion. 342
343
REFERENCES 344
1. Joon B. Park, Roderic S. Lakes. Bio Materials, An Introduction, second edition. 345
2. M.J. Long and H.J. Rack, Titanium Alloysin Total Joint Replacement-A Material Science 346
Perspective, Biomaterials, Vol 19,1998, p 16211639 347
3. Nag Soumya and Banerjee Rajarshi. Fundamentals of Medical Implant Materials . 348
ASM Handbook,Volume 23,Materials for Medical Devices. Pages 6-17 349
4. Patitapabana Parida, Behera Ajit, Mishra Subash. Classification of Biomaterials used in 350
Medicine. International Journal of Advances in Applied Sciences. Vol. 1, No. 3, 351
September 2012, pages. 125-129 352
5. Y. R. Yoo, H. H. Cho, S. G. Jang, K. Y. Lee, H. Y. Son, J. G. Kim, Y. S. Kim, Effect Of 353
Co Content On The Corrosion Of High Performance Stainless Steels In Simulated 354
Biosolutions, Key Engineering Materials, Vol. 342-343, 585-588, 2007. 355
6. U Kamachi Mudali, T M Sridhar and Baldev Raj, Corrosion of bio implants, Sadhana, 356
Vol. 28, Parts 3 & 4, 601-637 357
7. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Part 46, American Society for Testing and Materials, 358
Philadelphia, 1980, p. 578. 359
8. Joseph D. Bronzino. The Biomedical Engineering HandBook, Second Edition. Chapter 360
37 361
9. Roger Narayan. Biomedical Materials springer publication, Academic edition 2009. 362
Page 42-81 363
10. Tykocinski M, Duan Y, Tabor B, Cowan RS. Chronic electrical stimulation of the 364
auditory nerve using high surface area (HiQ) platinum electrodes.. Hear Res. 2001 Sep. 365
pp53-68. 366
11. T. M. Devine and J. Wulff, "Cast vs. Wrought Cobalt-Chromium Surgical Implant 367
Alloys," J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 9, 151-167, 1975. 368
12. C.J. E. Smith and A. N. Hughes, ''The Corrosion Fatigue Behavior of a Titanium-6 w/o 369
Aluminum-4 w/o Vanadium Alloy," Eng, Med., 7, 158-171, 1966. 370
13. J. H. Dumbleton and J. Black, An Introduction to Orthopaedic Materials, Charles C. 371
Thomas, Springfield, III., 1975. 372
373
374
375
376
377

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APPENDIX: 378
List of tables and figures 379
Tables 380
Table 1 Uses of Biomaterials 381
Problem Area Examples
Replacement of
diseased or damaged
part

Artificial hip joint, kidney
dialysis machine

Assist in healing

Sutures, bone plates and screws

Improve function

Cardiac pacemaker, contact lens

Correct functional
abnormality

Harrington spinal rod

Correct cosmetic
problem

Augmentation mammoplasty,
chin augmentation

Aid to diagnosis

Probes and catheters

Aid to treatment

Catheters, drains

382
Table 2 Biomaterials in Organs 383
Organ Examples
Heart Cardiac pacemaker,
artificial heart valve
Lung Oxygenator machine
Eye Contact lens, eye lens
replacement
Ear Artificial stapes,
cosmetic
reconstruction of
outer ear
Bone Bone plate
Kidney Kidney dialysis
machine
Bladder Catheter
384
385
Table 3 Biomaterials in Body Systems 386
System Examples
Skeletal Bone plate, total joint
replacements
Muscular Sutures

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Digestive Sutures
Circulatory Artificial heart valves, blood
vessels
Respiratory Oxygenator machine
Integumentary Sutures, burn dressings,
artificial skin
Urinary Catheters, kidney dialysis
machine
Nervous Hydrocephalus drain, cardiac
pacemaker
Endocrine Microencapsulated
pancreatic islet cells
Reproductive Augmentation mammoplasty,
other cosmetic replacements
387
Table 4 Materials for use in body 388
389
type example Advantages Disadvantages use
Polymers Nylon, Silicones,
Teflon, Dacron
No additional surgery
required for implant
removal.
Not strong
May degrade
Deform with
time
Sutures,
blood
vessels, hip
socket, ear,
nose, other
soft tissues

No permanent implant
in the body.
Safe and
biocompatible
material, no risk of
metal allergic
reactions
Reduced trauma
No long-term implant
palpability
Compatible with
Magnetic Resonance
Imaging (MRI
Reduced radiographic
scatter/obstruction
Metals Titanium, Ti
alloys,Stainless
steel,Co-Cr
alloys,Gold
Easy to fabricate May corrode
,Dense,
Brittle ,
Difficult to
make ,Not
resilient,
difficulty in
MRI imaging
Joint
replacement,
bone plates
& screws,
dental root
implants

Strong, tough
Ductile
Ceramics Aluminum
oxide,Hydroxyapatite

Strong in compression Brittle,
Difficult to
make, Not
resilient
Dental, hip
socket

Strong, tailor made
Not strong
Deform with time

11


Composites carbon-carbon, wire
or fiber reinforced
bone cement
Strong Difficult to
make
Joint
implants,
heart valves

tailor-made
390
Table 5. metal implants and applications 391
Application Implant material
Cochlear implant Platinum electrodes
Cardiovascular implants (heart valve) Stainless steel
Joint replacement Ti, Ti Alloys, Stainless steel
Bone plate for fracture fixation Stainless steel. Cobalt alloys
Dental implant titanium
392
Table 6. Compositions of 316 and 316L Stainless Steels 393
394
Element composition
Carbon 0.03 max
Manganese 2.00 max
Phosphorus 0.03 max
Sulphur 0.03 max
Silicon 0.75 max
Chromium 17.0020.00
Nickel 12.0014.00
Molybdenum 2.004.00
395
Table 7. Chemical Composition of CoCr Alloys 396
397
398
Table 8. Chemical Composition of Titanium and its Alloys. 399
400
Element Grade 1 Grade 2 Grade 3 Grade 4 Ti6Al4V
*

Nitrogen 0.03 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.05

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Carbon 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.08
Hydrogen 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.0125
Iron 0.20 0.30 0.30 0.50 0.25
Oxygen 0.18 0.25 0.35 0.40 0.13
Titanium balance
* Aluminum 6.00% (5.50~6.50), vanadium 4.00% (3.50~4.50), andother elements 0.1% 401
maximum or 0.4% total. 402
Table 9. chemical composition of Nitinol 403
Element Composition (wt%) Composition %
Ni 54.01
Co 0.64
Cr 0.76
Mn 0.64
Fe 0.66
Ti Balance
Figures 404
Fig.1. Yield strength of various metallic implants. 405
406
407

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408
409
410