While many metals exist, not all of them are applied in medicine. It is therefore essential to understand the specific metals, including their properties and advantages, before embarking on your next medical project.
In this post, you’ll learn about the 11 most important metals used in medicine.
What are Biocompatible Materials?
Biocompatible materials are substances or materials that are capable of coming in contact with the human system or tissue without bringing about any adverse effects.
They are materials, whether plastic or metal, used for manufacturing healthcare equipment, tools, and components, as they are safe for human use.
Biocompatibility is a crucial quality that every medical-grade material must possess. Beyond that, it is a standard requirement that must be followed to remain compliant with FDA and ISO regulations.
11 Most Important Metals Used in Medicine
Below are the 11 most important metals used in medicine today.
Stainless Steel
This is one of the most commonly used metals in medicine. They are utilized in medicine due to their exceptional characteristics, including high strength, resistance to corrosion and extreme conditions, non-toxicity, and so on.
The metal can be finely polished, making it easy to clean. It also exists in various forms, with each type having distinct chemical and physical characteristics.
Moreover, it can resist extreme temperatures and thus can be sterilized using autoclaves and other high-heat mechanisms.
Stainless Steel for Medical Implants and Body Piercings
Stainless steel 316 and 316L can withstand extreme corrosion, and as a result, they are used in the manufacture of implants and body piercings.
As such, they can survive within the body without degrading or melting, thereby providing protection against infection and disease.
Beyond that, many individuals are reactive to nickel, and so low-nickel forms of these metals are utilized.
Stainless Steel for Surgical Tools and Medical Devices
440 is another type of stainless steel used in the production of surgical tools. It has a high carbon content, which enables heat treatment, a process necessary for creating sharp edges in surgical devices.
This metal is used in the manufacturing of tweezers, hip replacement joints, forceps, hemostats, and other medical devices.
Copper
Unlike some other metals, copper is soft and therefore cannot be used in the production of implants. However, they are still valuable in making dental implants.
One unique property of copper is that it possesses antiviral and antimicrobial qualities, making it suitable for creating tools and components that frequently come into contact with or touch during medical procedures.
Due to this exceptional advantage, the FDA has approved approximately 400 copper alloys for use as biocides to prevent the circulation of viruses.
Titanium
Titanium boasts excellent strength, lightness, and outstanding biocompatibility, making it highly valuable in medical applications.
Titanium is now being utilized for bone replacement and skeletal support, making it an alternative to stainless steel.
It is generally inert in nature and is therefore used in the manufacture of medical structures that remain in the human body for an extended period. These components include bone screws, implants, and other similar devices.
Grade 1 and 2 titanium are common forms. They offer versatility, making them suitable for several production processes, can withstand temperatures up to 430 degrees Celsius, and resist extreme corrosion.
Cobalt Chrome
This metal can survive wear and extreme temperatures, and it also has excellent strength. Cobalt-chrome is valuable in manufacturing dental implants and prosthetic joints.
It can also be electropolished to give it a smooth finish and can be easily 3D printed. It is also utilized in manufacturing hip and shoulder socket replacements, as it’s biocompatible.
Aluminum
Although aluminium is not typically used in creating parts that interact or come into contact with the patient’s system and tissues, it is used in producing several types of medical equipment.
This equipment must be durable, lightweight, and corrosion-resistant, and include items such as wheelchairs, IV stands, and crutches.
Despite these properties, raw aluminium can sometimes tarnish; therefore, most aluminium components require a finishing treatment, such as painting or anodising, to increase their lifespan.
Magnesium
Magnesium offers low weight and durability. The metal biodegrades naturally without any unfavorable outcomes.
Due to this reason, magnesium is used in the manufacturing of synthetic bone grafts and heart valves, eliminating the need for further removal processes when utilized.
Magnesium has been found to react easily with oxygen, so precautions must be taken while machining it.
Gold
Gold is one of the oldest metals used in medicine. It is soft, biocompatible, and corrosion-resistant, and easily machinable.
Due to its ability to be easily molded into shape, it was used for dental repairs in the early years. However, it has now been replaced by several synthetic metals due to its high cost.
It is also used as an antitumor due to its biocidal nature. Gold is highly conductive and is used in the production of electronic devices utilized in electrostimulation implants.
Platinum
Platinum is another biocompatible metal offering many qualities, including conductivity, resistance to corrosion, ductility, the ability to form easily, and great strength. It is valuable for making hearing aids and pacemakers due to its electrical conductivity.
Silver
Silver is also antimicrobial in nature, making it useful in medicine. It is used for producing stents and is often alloyed with various metals to manufacture medical implants.
This is done to prevent infection. When also alloyed with copper, it is used to produce dental fillings.
Iridium
This metal is hard, durable, and can withstand corrosion. Due to its exceptional strength, it is utilized as electrodes on pacemakers and as coatings for electrostimulation equipment.
Tantalum
Tantalum is known for its ability to withstand extreme temperatures and corrosion, as well as its ductility and high strength. It’s biocompatible and doesn’t pose any adverse effects when it comes into contact with body fluid.
It can easily form into shape, and it possesses a high melting point. It is essential in manufacturing dental implants and valuable in orthopedics.
Conclusion
Different metals offer excellent qualities and several advantages that make them valuable in medicine. This guide has therefore explored the 11 most important metals used in medicine, so you can select the best.
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We are well-equipped with the technological machines and tools, experts, and versatile materials required to bring your project to life. Contact us now and get a free quote.
