MODIFICACIÓN SUPERFICIAL DE BIOMATERIALES METÁLICOS

Abstract

The main objective of this review is to show the importance of developing surface modifications of materials, particularly of metals, to improve their biomedical properties. In the introduction, the time evolution of the concept of a biocompatible material is presented followed by a classification of the biomaterials, according to the actual definition. Then, the surface-cells interaction processes are described to show the different surface properties that affect the biological response. Particularly, the interaction between metallic biomaterials and both hard tissue and blood are described, showing that one of the major problems associated to the metallic materials is the corrosion that they experienced when they are in contact with corporal fluids. Finally, a review of different methods that could be used to improve the biocompatibility of metallic materials is presented. Also the results for amorphous carbon coatings are shown as an example.