| abstract |
The invention relates to biocompatible, non-ferromagnetic, iron-based, intermetallic alloys which are intended for biomedical applications. More specifically, the invention relates to a series of oxide-dispersion-hardened FeAlCr intermetallic alloys, referred to herein as ALUSI, which are suitable for use as biomaterial. The inventive alloys contain neither Ni, an allergenic element, nor Co, a geostrategic element (more expensive). The medical implants and devices produced from said alloys have high mechanical strength, good corrosion resistance, excellent in vitro biocompatibility in relation to biomaterials currently in use and the ability to be hardened with a layer of alumina by means of thermal oxidation. The alloy-production method requires the use of a powder metallurgy route comprising the mechanical alloying of powders of the alloy-forming elements and the subsequent consolidation of said mechanically-alloyed powders. |