Wear Behaviors of UHMWPE against LTD-Free Zirconia/Alumina Composites

Abstract:

The sliding wear behavior of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was examined on four different compositions of novel low temperature degradation-free zirconia/alumina (Z/A) composite material used for a femoral head in total hip joint replacement. The wear of UHMWPE pins against these Z/A composite disks were evaluated by performing the linear reciprocal sliding and repeat pass rotational sliding tests for one million cycles in a bovine serum. The novel low temperature degradation (LTD)-free tetragonal zirconia polycrystal (TZP)/alumina composite (90(5.3Y, 4.6Nb)-TZP/10Al2O3) induced the less wear amount of UHMWPE than the other Z/A composites. Linear reciprocal motion wore more the UHMWPE pin than did repeat pass rotational motion for all disk materials. It was observed that few transfer film on the sliding track of Z/A composite disks and the matching contact surfaces of pins had relatively less scratch. Getting rid of transfer film, there is no change of surface roughness on the sliding track of Z/A composite disks. This novel Z/A composite (90(5.3Y, 4.6Nb)-TZP/10 Al2O3) demonstrates the potential as an alternative material for the femoral head in total hip replacement.

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volumes 284-286)
• Pages: 1011-1014
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.284-286.1011
• Online since: April 2005
• Authors: Myung Hyun Lee, Won Seon Seo, Hwan Kim, Kwon Yong Lee, Dae Joon Kim, Deuk Yong Lee
• Keywords: Alumina Composite, Hip Joint Femoral Head, UHMWPE, Wear, Zirconia, Zirconia Composite

References

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