Figure 1.

Typical features observable on a fracture surface of a fatigued Ti6Al4V implant, using the scanning electron microscope. (A) Overall fracture surface in which two regions are discernable, delineated by the dashed line. The stable fatigue crack, followed by the catastrophic overload fracture; (B) In the fatigue region, one can notice faint striations (fine parallel lines) and secondary cracking (arrowed); (C) Ductile overload dimples.