Development of new metallic alloys for biomedical applications

New low modulus beta-type titanium alloys for biomedical applications are still currently being developed. Strong and enduring p-type titanium alloy with a low Young's modulus are being investigated. A low modulus has been proved to be effective in inhibiting bone atrophy, leading to good bone remodeling in a bone fracture model in the rabbit tibia. Very recently beta-type titanium alloys with a self-tunable modulus have been proposed for the construction of removable implants. Nickel-free low modulus beta-type titanium alloys showing shape memory and super elastic behavior are also currently being developed. Nickel-free stainless steel and cobalt-chromium alloys for biomedical applications are receiving attention as well. Newly developed zirconium-based alloys for biomedical applications are proving very interesting. Magnesium-based or iron-based biodegradable biomaterials are under development. Further, tantalum, and niobium and its alloys are being investigated for biomedical applications. The development of new metallic alloys for biomedical applications is described in this paper. (C) 2012 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.