7. Conclusion

Current research is focusing on the development of new titanium alloys composed exclusively of biocompatible elements. Studies on chemical biocompatibility must necessarily be complemented by studies on mechanical biocompatibility, which determines load transfer and hence bone remodeling. Implant placement leads to a redistribution of stresses in the bone, and thus to a deviation from pre-operative physiological stresses, proportional to the difference in bone/implant stiffness.

Titanium alloys, and especially β-metastable titanium alloys, possess remarkable properties, including a low "extrinsic" modulus of elasticity that is difficult to achieve with other alloys. It is in fact possible to adjust this extrinsic modulus by controlling the β → α″ martensitic transformation.

This martensitic transformation depends on both the chemical composition...