Biomedical applications of powder metallurgy

The performance and properties of Titanium (Ti) and its alloys can be fully exploited for biomedical applications such as orthopedic and dental implants, when porous structures are used. Such Ti structures can matched the bone mechanical properties, providing a solution to the stress-shielding effect problem and facilitating implant biointegration. Powder metallurgy (PM) combined with space holder (SH) technology is an appealing process to produce porous implants. This article briefly discusses the suitability of the PM with SH technology to produce porous structures from the perspectives of both design and manufacture for the production of medical devices.