The use of dissimilar metals in surgery

Previously, the use of dissimilar metals for the construction of surgical implants has been strongly discouraged because the combination of metals was likely to provoke more rapid corrosion of one metal. With the passive alloys that are in present and future application, however, a reconsideration of the use of dissimilar metals is required. Presently available electrochemical tests allow accurate prediction of safe and unsafe combinations of metals. The use of dissimilar metals would permit selection of the alloy of appropriate mechanical properties for each part of an implant and would allow improved corrosion resistance that certain alloys can convey to other alloys with which they are in contact.