Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Ta b l e 3
.
1
Speciic requirements for metallic biomaterials
Material properties
Important for application
Mechanical properties
Ultimate tensile strength, tensile
yield strength elongation at fracture,
reduction in area fracture
Toughness
Young's modulus
Fatigue strength
Wear resistance
Endosseous implants like
orthopedic implants, dental
implants, nails, plates, screws
Physical properties
Density
Acoustic properties
Electrical resistance heart
Magnetism
Thermal expansion
Ultrasonic examinations
Pacemaker electrodes
NMR-examinations
Composite materials
Chemical Properties
Oxidation
Corrosion, degradation
Fretting corrosion
Prerequisite for all biomaterials
Biological Properties
Bioadhesion (osseoconductivity,
osseointegration)
Immune reaction (allergic, toxic,
mutogenic, carcinogenic)
Prerequisite for all biomaterials
The range of applications for biomaterials is large (see
Table 3.3). The number of different biomaterials is also
signiicant. However, in general, metallic biomaterials are used
for load bearing applications and must have suficient fatigue
strength; ceramic biomaterials are generally used for their
hardness and wear resistance for applications such as articulating
surfaces in joints and in teeth as well as bone bonding surfaces in
implants; polymeric materials are usually used for their lexibility
and stability, but have also been used for low friction articulating
surfaces.
