Metallic Biomaterials for Medical Implant Applications: A Review

Abstract

Stainless steel, titanium alloys and cobalt chromium molybdenum alloys are classified under the metallic biomaterials whereby various surgical implants, prosthesis and medical devices are manufactured to replace missing body parts which may be lost through accident, trauma, disease, or congenital conditions. Among these materials, cobalt chromium molybdenum alloys are the common cobalt base alloy used for orthopedic implants due their excellence properties which include high corrosion resistance, high strength, high hardness, high creep resistance, biocompatibility and greater wear resistance. This paper summarises the various aspects and characteristic of metallic biomaterials such as stainless steel, titanium and cobalt chromium alloys for medical applications especially for orthopedic implant. These include material properties, biocompatibility, advantages and limitations for medical implants applications.