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Failure analysis of a titanium orthopedic prosthesis Studio del cedimento di una protesi ortopedica in titanio
Last modified: 2011-06-09
Abstract
Several kinds of materials are employed for the realization of orthopedic internal prosthesis.
Titanium and Titanium alloys are widely used for their chemical-physical properties. These materials have low density, high strength, non magnetic behavior and high corrosion resistance in the human body environment.
In the paper are reported failure analyses of a titanium spinal prosthesis employed as support on the treatment of a vertebral lesion. The prosthesis premature and unexpected failure has required its removal and replacement.
Optical and electron microscopy has been employed in order to characterize the material microstructure and to study the fracture morphology. Mechanical tests have been carried out on the prosthesis in order to evaluate its mechanical strength. Similar tests have been performed on a spinal prosthesis coming from another producer.
KEYWORDS. Spinal prosthesis; Failure; Titanium; Corrosion fatigue.
Titanium and Titanium alloys are widely used for their chemical-physical properties. These materials have low density, high strength, non magnetic behavior and high corrosion resistance in the human body environment.
In the paper are reported failure analyses of a titanium spinal prosthesis employed as support on the treatment of a vertebral lesion. The prosthesis premature and unexpected failure has required its removal and replacement.
Optical and electron microscopy has been employed in order to characterize the material microstructure and to study the fracture morphology. Mechanical tests have been carried out on the prosthesis in order to evaluate its mechanical strength. Similar tests have been performed on a spinal prosthesis coming from another producer.
KEYWORDS. Spinal prosthesis; Failure; Titanium; Corrosion fatigue.
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