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Tribological performance of some alternative bearing materials for artificial joints.

Journal Article · · Wear

In current artificial joints consisting of metal or ceramic and polyethylene (ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, UHMWPE) bearing surfaces, the wear debris of polyethylene is the main cause for shortening implant's life. In order to enhance the durability of human artificial joints, alternative bearing surfaces may be needed. In the present study, the tribological performance of several candidate implant materials, including the diamond-like carbon (DLC) thin film coating on stainless steel were investigated. A pin-on-flat contact configuration in reciprocating sliding was used for preliminary materials evaluation and friction and wear testing. Test pairs were lubricated with bovine blood serum. The DLC coating sliding against uncoated stainless steel showed the lowest friction coefficient and very little, if any, wear. Wear mechanisms in tests of ceramics and steel pairs were primarily abrasive.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
961446
Report Number(s):
ANL/ET/JA-47903
Journal Information:
Wear, Journal Name: Wear Journal Issue: Pt. 2 ; Aug/Sep. 2003 Vol. 255; ISSN 0043-1648; ISSN WEARAH
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
ENGLISH