Bone plate is the most common way to fix extremity fractures. Metal

particularly titanium alloy

is the most general material used to fabricate bone plate

of which the safety and effectiveness has been widely accepted. However

the research on non-metal materials for bone plate have been ongoing for decades. Insufficient strength of non-metal materials has been a general problem which limited its application in clinical practice. Therefore

the ideal bone plate should have both good biomechanical properties and biological function. This review will summarize the research in materials for bone plate.