This article discusses the mechanisms of metal and alloy biocompatibility. It provides information on early testing and experience with metals in medical device applications. The article describes the response of implant and particulate materials to severe corrosion. It provides a description of metal binding and its effects on metabolic processes. Hypersensitive responses to metal ions are also reviewed. The article concludes with a discussion on the possible cancer-causing effects of metallic biomaterials.

This article describes the corrosion resistance and ion release from main transition metallic bearings used as medical devices. It discusses the main issues associated with the in vivo presence of ions and their biocompatibility during the exposure of patients to different aspects of ion toxicity. These include ion concentration and accumulation in organisms, reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress, and carcinogenicity stimulated by the corrosion process and toxic ions release.

Nonferrous metals and alloys are widely used to resist corrosion. This article describes the corrosion behavior of the most widely used nonferrous metals, such as aluminum, copper, nickel, and titanium. It also provides information on several specialty nonferrous products that cannot easily be categorized by elemental base.