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Metals

Much of our research as described in the section on materials durability is in the areas of stress corrosion cracking, corrosion fatigue, and also failure analysis of metallic implants. However, in recent years, much of our research has been done not only with implant manufacturers but also in partnership with primary metals suppliers. This research has been involved with full characterization of structure and properties of new metallic systems and forms, mechanical properties as they relate to the physiological environment and the effects of device parameters, secondary phase and imperfection identification, and methods for microstructural sample preparation and identification. All of these determinations have been associated with processing parameters including preparation of the original ingot to final product supplied by the mill. These programs have involved new stainless steel alloys, titanium alloys, and porous metals for implant applications. As a result of these joint development programs, several new and exciting metal systems and metal product forms have been made available to implant manufacturers. We continue to have collaborative efforts in this area examining alternative processing of metal alloys to change properties, along with identification of microstructures, and research and characterization in the area of nano-structured metals and alloys.