Corrosion & Environmental Degradation		Table of Contents
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	Biological Environments · Biologically active environments give rise to additional corrosion problems. For engineering structures, the active agents involve soil bacteria, marine organisms, fungal and other plant life. · For implants used in the human body, there is an electrolytic environment similar to that of sea water. The toxicity of the material and its corrosion products must be taken into account as well as its desired mechanical properties. In addition, the defense mechanisms of the body attempt to remove foreign materials and tissue damage may occur as a result of these processes.  · Implants do not experience a static environment. Fatigue behavior in a corrosive ambient must be considered. Joining the device to the biological system often provides a crevace corrosion ambient at the attachment screws or pins. Multi-section devices agravate this situation. · For dental restorative implants, the loads experienced during eating are high and fatigue failure in a corrosive ambient must be considered. In addition, material selection often involves asthetic considerations as well as mechanical and chemical suitability. · These are all areas of continuing research activity.