Investigation of failure mechanism in vitallium 2000 implant

A fractured vitallium plate used as a fixation device was investigated for determining the basic mechanism/s responsible for premature failure. Microhardness tests, tensile tests and extensive scanning electron microscopy were carried out to establish the dominant mechanism of fracture. From the detailed fracture surface analysis and the background information provided on the implant, it was determined that the implant failed by the mechanism of corrosion fatigue at the interface of implant plate and screw used in the bone fixation device.