Properties of Wrought CoNiCrMo Alloy Protasul-10, a Highly Corrosion and Fatigue Resistant Implant Material for Joint Endoprostheses

Abstract

Loosening of prosthetic components in the bone is a problem that has not been fully explored as yet. When loosening has occurred, the metallic anchorage stem may become overloaded and in extreme cases it may ultimately lead to stem fracture if the fatigue limit of the metallic material is exceeded. In order to preclude the possibility of these undesirable fatigue fractures of loosened prosthesis stems requiring re-operations, the Sulzer research laboratories have developed wrought alloys of extremely high strength and corrosion resistance such as Protasul-10.† The chemical composition, structure, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and present state of the art of this implant material, which has been in clinical use since 1971, are specified in national and international standards.