Biocompatible Titanium Alloys used in Medical Applications

Abstract

At global level, there is a continuing concern for the research and development of alloys for medical and biomedical applications. Metallic biomaterials are used in various applications of the most important medical fields like orthopedic, dental and cardiovascular. The main metallic biomaterials used in human body are stainless steels, Co-based alloys and Ti-based alloys. Titanium and its alloys are of greater interest in medical applications because they exhibit characteristics required for implant materials, namely, good mechanical properties (less elasticity modulus than stainless steel or CoCr alloys, fatigue strength, high corrosion resistance), high biocompatibility. The aim of this review is to describe and compare the main characteristics (mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility) for latest research of nontoxic Ti alloys biomaterials used for medical field.