This invention provides surface hardened, abrasion resistant high strength, biocompatible metal medical implants, in particular, titanium alloy implants which do not include any elements which have been shown or suggested as having short term or long term potential adverse effect from a standpoint of biocompatibility. Further, the invention provides methods of strengthening and hardening the surfaces of other titanium, zirconium, and cobalt-based alloy implants with small concentrations of a metal solute such as zirconium, yttrium, tantalum, aluminum, silicon, chromium, or thorium via internal oxidation or nitridation. Alternatively, nitrogen, oxygen, or carbon can be diffused directly into the surface of the implants by interstitial hardening to further increase the surface abrasion resistance of these internally oxidized or internally nitridized implant metal or metal alloys.

Surface hardened biocompatible metallic medical implants

The invention provides improved biocompatible implant alloys and methods of constructing artificial implants having improved long term wear properties. Cobalt-base biocompatible implant alloys provided according to the invention are essentially free of carbide, nitride and sigma second phase particles, and can have hardness and strength properties equivalent to or greater than the standard CoCrMo alloy with significantly improved fatigue life and superior frictional contact properties with UHMWPE. Artificial implant constructions and methods provided according to another aspect of the invention are capable of eliminating latent defects that can promote long term failure of joint implants.

Enhanced biocompatible implants and alloys

An articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants having a first component (60074) with a concave surface end and a corresponding second element (60075) having a convex surface. The two components form a device with diamond to diamond contact at the articulation point.

Articulating diamond-surfaced spinal implants

Diamond bearings and bearing components are disclosed. Some embodiments of the bearings and bearing components include polycrystalline diamond compacts sintered under high pressure and high temperature to create a diamond table chemically and mechanically bonded to a substrate, the diamond table presenting a durable and thermally stable load bearing and articulation surface.

Bearings, races and components thereof having diamond and other superhard surfaces

Prosthetic knee joint having at least one diamond articulation surface

METHOD OF HEAT TREATING NICRALY ALLOYS FOR USE AS CERAMIC KILN AND FURNACE HARDWARE ABSTRACT This invention relates to components of ceramic kiln and furnace hardware made of NICRALY alloys. Disclosed is a method of heat treating NICRALY alloys to obtain a uniform film of desired alumina (Al2O3) on the surface of the alloys. The gist of the invention resides in the control of the critical relationship between the tempera-ture and the partial pressure of oxygen in the oxygen potential controlled atmosphere during the heat treatment. Optimum results are obtained when the temperature is about 2100°F (1150°C) and the dew point is about -30°F (-34°C) in hydrogen for about one hour.

Method of heat treating nicraly alloys for use as ceramic kiln and furnace hardware

A yttrium-free, nickel-chromium-iron-aluminum alloy characterized by excellent oxidation resistance at very high temperatures. The alloy consists essentially of, by weight, from 14 to 18% chromium, from 4 to 6% aluminum, from 1.5 to 8% iron, up to 12% cobalt, up to 1% manganese, up to 1% molybdenum, up to 1% silicon, up to 0.25% carbon, up to 0.03% boron, up to 1% tungsten, up to 0.5% tantalum, up to 0.2% titanium, up to 0.5% hafnium, up to 0.2% zirconium, up to 0.2% rhenium, balance essentially nickel. The nickel plus the cobalt content is at least 66%.

Nickel-chromium-iron-aluminum alloy

A ductile cobalt-base alloy having high strength is provided having molybdenum in the range 1% to 8% molybdenum by weight.

Ductile cobalt-base alloys

The Ni-Cr-Mo-W system is re-examined in view of its importance to industrial applications involving aqueous corrosion. Historical development of the system is presented, and its physical metallurgy is examined in terms of secondary precipitates and long-range ordering. The role of alloying elements is explained in terms of thermal stability and environmental resistance. Finally, the future of the Ni-Cr-Mo-W system is explored.

High-Performance Ni-Cr-Mo-W Alloys

A new wrought nickel-base alloy, designated CABOT®* alloy No. 214, has been developed for applications in the heating industry. The alloy, composed principally of nickel, chromium, aluminum, iron, and yttrium, combines the outstanding oxidation and environmental resistance of the Ni-Al base coating systems with the workability of more conventional chromia-protected alloy systems to yield a superior product for extended service applications up to and above 2200°F (1200°C). The enhanced oxidation resistance of the alloy is the result of the tenacious Al2O3 film which forms on the surface of the alloy at high temperatures. In addition to describing the oxidation, carburization, and chlorination resistance of the alloy, the metallurgical traits of microstructure and mechanical properties are reviewed.

Robert B. Herchenroeder

Papers

Method of heat treating nicraly alloys for use as ceramic kiln and furnace hardware

Nickel-chromium-iron-aluminum alloy

Ductile cobalt-base alloys

High-Performance Ni-Cr-Mo-W Alloys

A New, Wrought, Heat-Resistant Ni-Cr-Al-Fe-Y Alloy