Tribological and nanoscale research on model friction couples intended for hip joint prostheses

Abstract

The paper presents the results of tribological and nanoscale research on model friction couples intended for hip joint prostheses. The tribological tests were performed by means of reciprocating pin on plate testing machine. The investigated friction pairs contained plates rubbing against polymer pins. The test plates were made from seven kinds of ceramics containing different concentrations of ZrO₂ and Al₂O₃, and two kinds of Co–Cr alloy. The test pins were made from UHMWPE. Tribological tests were performed in conditions of Ringer solution circulation. On the basis of friction force measurements, for each investigated friction couple, the average coefficient of friction was calculated. On the basis of total wear measurements, for each investigated couple, the wear intensity was calculated. Before and after every test, the plates and pins were analysed by means of atomic force microscopy. The difference in plate surface roughness was determined by the results of the atomic force microscopy analyses.

It was stated, that in the case of investigated friction joints, working under reciprocating motion, the wear and friction coefficient correlates with the surface roughness of plate specimens. For the plates with higher surface roughness, the lower friction coefficient and also lower UHMWPE pin wear intensity were observed. The friction coefficient and wear intensity were increasing with decreasing surface roughness. The correlation is confirmed by the differences in material transfer process. Considering investigated friction couples, the pin polymer material is smeared on the ceramic plates with the highest surface roughness creating a thin polymer film. In the case of ceramic surfaces with the lowest surface roughness, the strong adhesive bounds are created and some large particles of polymer are transferred to ceramic surface.