Material Properties: Titanium

Description

Mr Shiraz Sabah discusses the concept of surface property hardness, specifically its importance in determining how resistant a material is to scratching or indentation. He introduces the Mohs scale of hardness, ranging from talc (1) to diamond (10), highlighting that titanium has a hardness of about 6. It compares titanium's hardness to that of an iPhone screen, which is between 6 to 7 on the scale. While titanium is suited for applications such as plates, screws, and femoral stems, it lacks the hardness necessary for bearing surfaces. Mr Sabah concludes by naming alternative materials like cobalt, chrome, ceramic, and stainless steel, which are significantly harder and more scratch-resistant, making them suitable for use in bearing surfaces.

DOI: 10.1302/3114-251247