Using fractal geometry to examine failed implants and prostheses

Fractography, the examination of fracture surfaces, is a useful tool in failure analysis and can provide information that is valuable in improving the designs of prostheses and implants or that is useful in improving the processing of materials. Markings on the fracture surface may allow the experienced fractographer to determine the conditions that were present at the time of failure [1]. These include (1) the general location from which failure originated, (2) the type of processing flaw or design feature that limited the strength or lifetime of the component, (3) whether the failure progressed over an extended period of time or all at once, (4) the fracture toughness of the material, (5) the stress at the failure origin, (6) whether any internal residual stresses were present, and (7) the direction of externally applied loads.
Source: Dental Materials - Category: Materials Science Authors: Source Type: research