Titanium alloys

Titanium alloys represent the gold standard for permanent implant materials due to a range of factors, including high strength, excellent corrosion resistance, benign physiological impact, and moderate elastic properties. Despite this, there is still a demand for improved mechanical properties, most notably a lower elastic modulus and a greater promotion of desirable physiological responses, thus resolving these issues remains an area of active research. To understand and contribute to the resolution of these concerns, it is helpful for the materials scientist or engineer to first be aware of the fundamental crystallography and alloying behavior of Ti alloys, and further to be broadly familiar with the current progress in this field. To this end, this chapter seeks to provide an introduction to the topic by outlining the rudiments of Ti alloy metallurgy and the application of these alloys in the biomedical sector.