ABSTRACT
Metallic materials are widely used as biomaterials, replacing the structural components of the human body. This is because, in comparison to polymeric materials and ceramics, they have better mechanical properties such as tensile strength, fatigue strength, and resistance to cracking, characteristics that are crucial in biomedical applications [24]. 316L stainless steel has inferior corrosion resistance comparing to cobalt-chromium alloys and titanium alloys [18]. For example, orthopedic implants made of 316L stainless steel corrode in the tissue environment, releasing iron, chromium, and nickel ions into the body. Nickel ions are considered to be a very important factor in causing allergies and even cancer [32]. The number of women suffering from an allergy to nickel doubles every decade. Dermatologists estimate that about 20% of women and 4% of men on the earth have allergy to nickel. The main cause of allergy to nickel is wearing jewelry.
