Potential of improving tribological performance of UHMWPE by engineering the Ti6A14V counterfaces

H. Dong*, W. Shi, T. Bell

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Recently, some novel surface engineering techniques have been developed, which may be used for extending lifetime of artificial joints; however, the full potential will not be realised until the tribological behaviour of surface engineered bio-medical materials has been fully characterised. In the present investigation, a pin-on-disc tribometer has been used to evaluate the tribological response of UHMWPE to untreated, PVD DLC coated, nitrogen ion implanted, 'TO'-treated, 'OD'-treated Ti6A14V counterfaces under water lubricated conditions. Experimental results showed that the tribological behaviour of UHMWPE under water lubricated sliding conditions could be significantly improved by all these surface engineering techniques. The TO treatment has been identified as the most effective surface engineering technique for Ti6A14V counterfaces, to reduce the wear of UHMWPE. This is can be attributed to the surface oxide layer formed during the TO treatment, which has favourable tribological compatibility with UHMWPE.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)146-153
Number of pages8
JournalWear
Volume225-229
Issue numberI
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Apr 1999
EventProceedings of the 1999 12th International Conference on Wear of Materials, WOM-99 - Atlanta, GA, United States
Duration: 25 Apr 199929 Apr 1999

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The work is supported by the European Commission under IC15-CT96-0705. One of the authors (W.S.) acknowledges financial support of an Overseas Research Studentship (ORS). In addition, the assistance of Tech-Ni-Plant, UK in the ion implantation of specimens is also greatly appreciated.

Keywords

  • Sliding wear
  • Surface engineering
  • Ti6A14V
  • UHMWPE

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Surfaces and Interfaces
  • Surfaces, Coatings and Films
  • Materials Chemistry

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