Margam Chandrasekaran

This book provides a general holistic view of materials degradation without undue emphasis on aqueous corrosion with the neglect of other important topics such as liquid metal corrosion. Discussion of materials degradation is balanced by detailed description and evaluation of surface engineering as a means of managing materials degradation. Thus, the trainee engineer is presented with a comprehensive view of the problem rather than just a part of the problem. The control or management of materials degradation is not only discussed in scientific terms, but the economics or financial aspects of materials degradation and surface engineering is also discussed in detail with the help of analytical models.

A wide variety of materials is being used in biomedical engineering for various functions. This includes a range of ceramics, polymers and metallic materials for implants and medical devices. A major question is how these materials will perform inside the body, which is very sensitive to alien materials. The material must not only survive to perform its intended function but also not initiate any damage to the surrounding tissue or induce a wider health problem. The service characteristics of implanted materials are of vital concern to health treatments that alleviate ageing. This book collates information and provides a concise text on the performance of different materials used in devices and implants. The knowledge presented is critical for a biomedical engineer, especially for the purpose of selecting the right materials. In addition, topics such as allergies and infection, tissue scaffolds, and drug delivery are reviewed.