title: The troubles of zirconia.
abstract: A new ceramic material was introduced into clinical practice five years ago with the expectation that it would improve performance and give better fracture toughness and wear resistance. In reality, the reverse happened and far more failures have occurred. This article asks whether there are any lessons to be learnt.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Engineering, University of Liverpool, UK. dfw.ce@liverpool.ac.uk
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D008420:Manufactured Materials / Q000032:analysis*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D015040:Zirconium / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D015040:Zirconium; C028541:zirconium oxide