Surface Resistance of Dispersion Ceramics against Third Body Abrasion

Wear of the articulation partners in artificial joints for hip or knee is known to influence the in vivo survival rate of the implants. Wear amount can be strongly increased if third body wear occurs in the joint gap. Alumina ceramic is noted for a good wear resistance even under these worst case conditions. We tested the wear behaviour of the new dispersion ceramics ZTA (Zirconia Toughened Alumina) and ATZ (Alumina Toughened Zirconia) in comparison to alumina for the couplings ceramic on PE and ceramic on ceramic in a hip joint simulator in presence of third body particles.