Metallic biomaterial assessment via a risk-based decision-making approach

Abstract

This study examined metallic biomaterials via a decision-making approach combining the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP), the fuzzy failure modes and effects analysis (FMEA), and the fuzzy evaluation based on distance from an average solution (EDAS) method. In the study, stainless steel, titanium, and cobalt-chromium alloys were assessed by employing six main criteria, thirty-one subcriteria, and three risk factors. The fuzzy AHP method was used to determine the importance of the evaluation criteria and risk factors, while the fuzzy EDAS method was employed to analyze the risk priority numbers obtained from the fuzzy FMEA method. According to the results, the first three important criteria were infection, carcinogenicity, and tensile strength. Furthermore, the ranking of the materials in the descending order of the crisp scores was titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt-chromium alloys. Consequently, this study established a foundation for the unbiased assessment and prioritization of current materials.