Abstract
This study comprises the studies performed on six in vivo failed centromedullary fixation devices, three made of stainless steel 316L and three of titanium alloy Ti-6Al-4V. Fractographic studies were performed using stereomicroscopy and scanning electron microscopy while metallographic studies were performed by light microscopy. Loading mode which caused failure was inferred based upon surface fracture topography and light microscopy studies were performed to observe if abnormal microstructures or inclusions could be the cause of the failure. In all cases the chemical composition was according to standard specifications and the microstructures appeared normal with low inclusionary content. The mode of failure was found to be fatigue and the crack initiation site was on the implant surface on roughness features and surface induced defects.
Keywords: stainless steel; Ti-6Al-4V; intramedullary fixation device; fatigue; failure