Characterization of mechanical properties of metal biomaterials

Abstract

Of all the biomaterials which are used today for the production of implants, instruments and devices in different medical applications, metal materials take a dominant position. The superiority in relation to other biomaterials is mostly the consequence of extraordinary mechanical properties, which especially occur under the influence of high external loads. Because of that, the use of metal biomaterials is focused on the production of implants and elements for the fixation of broken limbs and the replacement of parts of damaged bones and/or joints. There is a significant application of metal biomaterials in the area of stomatology as well. The paper emphasizes the significance of mechanical characterization of metal biomaterials. In that, there is a presentation of a great number of standard procedures which are applied for the determining of mechanical properties and identification of microstructural defects. At the end, for three groups of metal materials (stainless steels, Co-Cr alloys and Titanium and its alloys), the concrete values are presented for some mechanical properties which may have a decisive influence to application opportunities. The paper presents a contribution to the discussion of mechanical characterization problems, what is directly related to the selection of metal biomaterials for different medical applications, especially at surgical and orthopaedic interventions.