Orthopedics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthopedics, including details on chronic injuries, muscoskeletal disorders, surgery, reconstruction.

On the possibility of silicon nitride as a ceramic for structural orthopaedic implants. Part II: chemical stability and wear resistance in body environment.

Mazzocchi M, Gardini D, Traverso PL, Faga MG, Bellosi A

Institute for Sciences and Technology for Ceramics, National Research Council, Via Granarolo, n.64, Faenza, Ravenna 48018, Italy. mauro.mazzocchi@istec.cnr.it

In Part I, the processing, microstructure and mechanical properties of three silicon nitride-based ceramics were examined and their non-toxicity was demonstrated. In this Part II, some features critical to biomedical applications were investigated: (i) the wetting behaviour against aqueous media, including physiological solutions; (ii) the chemical stability in water and in physiological solutions; and (iii) the wear resistance, measured under experimental procedures that simulate the conditions typical of the hip joint prosthesis. The results confirmed that silicon nitride may serve as a biomaterial for bone substitution in load bearing prosthesis.

Published 5 June 2008 in J Mater Sci Mater Med, 19(8): 2889-901.
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