Funding period: Feb 2017 to Apr 2021

Researcher: Karsten Harnisch

Wrap-up

Keywords: CoCrMo, in-situ, SEM, phase transformation

Background:
>> replacement of human joints (implants) becomes more important (demographic change)
>> materials for medical implants offer several challenges and potential for improvements

Objective:
>> offer small-scale solutions for improvements by using in-situ methods to investigate and analyze materials and the related mechanisms for medical implants

Methods:
>> mechanical and thermal treatments - SEM – EDS – EBSD – in-situ methods

Results:
>> clarification of phase transformation mechanisms of CoCrMo alloys (requirements, activation, process, consequences)
>> phase-related (microstructure) properties of CoCrMo alloys in various conditions

Conclusions:
>> materials science-based recommendations for possible improvements for medical implants with regard to possible changes of chemical composition and/or pre-treatments before implantation

Originality:
>> research at the intersection between mechanical engineering and medicine
>> unique combination of methods (in-situ SEM) and materials (biomedical implants) offers new informative and helpful insights into mechanisms in materials for medical implants