Corrosion and fracture of type 316 SMO orthopedic implants

Abstract

Abstract Orthopedic appliances of type 316 (SMO) stainless steel were examined in detail after being removed from human subjects. Techniques included conventional microscopy with various lighting methods, together with electron microscope fractography. Corrosion, fatigue failure, and manufacturing defects were identified and statistically tabulated. Corrosion damage occurred on 91% of all multicomponent devices and the overall incidence of fracture failure was 9%. These results indicate an urgent ueed for stronger, more corrosion‐resistant implant alloys.