Enhancement of Corrosion Resistance of Biomaterials by Surface Modification Techniques

Abstract

newlineBiomaterials are materials used for many orthopedic applications that can interact with natural systems to adapt for long term use with minimal failure. When these biomaterials are inserted in exceptionally acidic surroundings in human body, the decay process of biomaterials starts. Corrosion is one of the most important mechanisms responsible for chemical attack on the surface of metals and alloys that consequently affect the functioning and repair of biomaterial. Mechanism of corrosion is a complicated process that involves many factors such as the shape and structure of biomaterial, the composition of metal and alloy, mechanical properties and their interaction with body fluids. newlineA wide variety of biomaterials for orthopedic applications have been explored in this precise area, owing to the reality that properly intended biomaterials are competent of healing by restoring various human body tissues for enduring use, without adding any toxic substances. For achieving sustainable development of biomaterials for particular applications in human body use, the equilibrium between mechanical and chemical actions of biomaterial must be maintained. It has been reported that surgical stainless steels, titanium and its alloys are metallic materials which are mainly used for orthopedic implants due to their exceptional properties like high strength, toughness, better corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. Surgical stainless steel (316L SS) is the most commonly used implant material for medical applications because of its good corrosion resistance and better mechanical properties. On the other hand the use of titanium metal and titanium alloy (Ti6Al4V) has increased to an enormous extent owing to its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent corrosion resistance, and biocompatible properties among various metallic implant materials.