The principal features essential for the success of an orthopaedic implant are its shape, dimensional accuracy, and adequate mechanical properties. Unlike other manufactured products, chemical stability and toxicity are of increased importance due to the need for biocompatibility over an implants life which could span several years. Thus, the combination of mechanical and biological properties determines the clinical usefulness of biomaterials in orthopaedic and musculoskeletal trauma surgery. Materials commonly used for these applications include stainless steel, cobalt-chromium and titanium alloys, ceramics, polyethylene, and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) bone cement. This study reviews the properties of commonly used materials and the advantages and disadvantages of each, with special emphasis on the sensitivity, toxicity, irritancy, and possible mutagenic and teratogenic capabilities. In addition, the production and final finishing processes of implants are discussed. Finally, potential directions for future implant development are discussed, with an emphasis on developing advanced personalised implants, according to a patient’s stature and physical requirements.

In the paper, dynamic investigations of the rotor shaft systems are performed by means of the discrete‐continuous mechanical models. In these models the rotor shaft segments are represented by the rotating cylindrical flexurally and torsionally deformable continuous viscoelastic elements. These elements are mutually connected according to the structure of the real system in the form of a stepped shaft which is suspended on concentrated inertial viscoelastic supports of linear or non‐linear characteristics. At appropriate shaft crosssections, by means of massless membranes, there are attached rigid rings representing rotors, disks, gears, flywheels and others. The proposed model enables us to investigate coupled linear or non‐linear lateral torsional Vibrations of the rotating systems in steady‐state and transient operating conditions. As demonstrative examples, for the steam turbo‐compressor under coupled lateral torsional vibrations, the transient response due to a blade falling out from the turbine rotor as well as the steady‐state response in the form of parametric resonance caused by residual unbalances are presented.