Titanium Alloys for Biomedicine Introduction
In recent decades, the intersection of materials science and biomedical engineering has led to remarkable advances in the field of biomedical engineering. Titanium is at the forefront of this convergence, an elemental metal that, when properly alloyed, has proven itself to be a game-changing biomaterial. Known for their unique combination of mechanical strength, biocompatibility, corrosion resistance, and ability to promote tissue bonding interactions, titanium alloys have become the most successful materials for biomedical applications, particularly in orthopedics and dentistry.
This paper attempts to navigate the intricate field of biomedical applications of titanium alloys - a journey that spans numerous medical disciplines, from orthopedics to dentistry and even cardiovascular care. We focus on elucidating the core properties that underpin titanium alloys' remarkable versatility, delving into the mechanisms of their success while also exploring their limitations.
The story of titanium alloys' foray into medicine is closely tied to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Per-Ingvar Brånemark. His pioneering research on osseointegration (a term he coined to describe the direct structural and functional connection between living bone and an implant surface) ushered in a new era in medicine. The realization that titanium could act as a "scaffold" to support, if not stimulate, bone tissue adhesion, growth and integration led to a revolution in orthopedic and dental implantology. Brånemark's contribution was far-reaching and his insights laid the foundation for the use of titanium and its alloys in modern medicine, and no other structural metal in the last few decades could match the combination of properties exhibited by titanium.
In orthopedics, titanium is the most common choice for components that are subject to heavy, cyclic mechanical action, especially stems and cups in joints such as the shoulder, hip, knee and ankle, as polymeric materials cannot achieve the st