[Progress on classification and application of artificial hip joint materials]

The selection of the prosthetic material determine the success or failure of hip arthroplasty. Currently, the metals, ceramics, polymer composites and carbon materials are the main prosthetic materials of artificial hip joint. They have some progresses in biocompatibility, elastic modulus,mechanical properties, useful life, but they still can't reach the ideal standard of design. In this essay, we mainly review the characteristics and applications of the current artificial hip joint materials through its classification in order to provide a reference for choosing appropriate hip joint materials in clinic and increasing characteristic of materials. We consider the polymer composites has more advantages such as biocompatibility, mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and price, even if it has shortages in abrasion resistance. As the researches of polymer composites are main focus on abrasion resistance, articular surface and strength,and its performances are increased fast, it has a wide prospect in future.