1. Material specifications for biomedical applications

1.1 Chemical biocompatibility of additive elements

Chemical biocompatibility refers to the biological qualities of the implant material. The human body is an aggressive and corrosive environment, due to concentrations of chloride ions and dissolved oxygen. Characterizing the chemical biocompatibility of a material involves assessing its resistance to corrosion, as well as the toxicity of products released into the body. Steinemann has established a classification based on the toxicity of several metallic elements and alloys used in implants. This classification...