The sterling mechanical properties of titanium alloys have distinguished them as an essential material for varied applications especially in biomedical fields. The combination of good corrosion resistance in addition to light weight, non-toxicity and an outstanding biocompatibility makes them a sought-after material for production of medical implants. Owing to the surging demand for durable implants, it has become exigent for increased developmental researches on biomaterials to be accelerated. This will result in significant increase in implant production and Ti alloys will play a vital role among the several materials presently in use. Hence, this review critically analysed the important roles Ti alloys have played thus far in the implant production industry and recent development of titanium-based alloys with low elastic modulus similar to human bones as well as improved biocompatibility and wear resistance.

The development of automobile brake pad using locally sourced palm kernel fiber was carried out. Asbestos, a carcinogenic material, has been used for decades as a friction material. This development has thus prompted a couple of research efforts geared towards its replacement for brake pad manufacture. Palm kernel fiber was used as an alternative filler material in conjunction with various quantities of epoxy resin as the matrix. Three sets of compositions were made, and the resulting specimens subjected to physical and mechanical tests using standard materials, procedures, and equipment. The essence is to determine their suitability and hence possible performance in service. The result showed that sample C with 40% palm kernel fiber content having hardness, compressive strength, abrasion resistance, specific gravity, water absorption, and oil absorption of 178 MPa, 96.2 MPa, 1.67 mg/m, 1.8 g/cm3, 1.86%, and 0.89%, respectively, had an optimum performance rating. It was equally ascertained that increase in the filler content had the effect of increase in hardness, wear resistance, and specific gravity of the composite brake pad, while water and oil absorption got decreased when compared with results obtained by other researchers using conventional brake pads made of other friction materials including asbestos. This is an indicator that palm kernel fiber is a possible and effective retrofit for asbestos as a filler material in automotive brake pad manufacture.

Metallic implants are extensively used to treat a spectrum of orthopaedic related disorders. Among the metals, titanium and its alloys are considered most excellent and indispensable material for the production of orthopaedic implants regarding their sterling mechanical properties and exceptional biocompatibility. Recently, rapid progress in developing non-toxic titanium-based alloys with modulus similar to that of human bone has inspired researchers globally. Thus, many studies have focused on titanium alloys, their heat treatment processes and several processing technologies. Additive manufacturing has been designed to enhance their mechanical properties tailored towards biomedical applications. Inarguably, the need to further improve on the implant’s biocompatibility with bodily environment for optimum service life is of great importance. Hence, hydroxyapatite coating provides an improvement as demonstrated by in vitro as well as in vivo studies. The present article critically reviews, based on recent scientific literatures, the progress made thus far in the development of titanium-based alloys, additive manufacturing processes and their heat and surface treatments tailored towards biomedical applications.