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. 2010 Nov;3(8):549-58.
doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2010.06.006. Epub 2010 Jul 3.

Tribological properties of Ti-based alloys in a simulated bone-implant interface with Ringer's solution at fretting contacts

C R Ramos-Saenz  1 , P A Sundaram, N Diffoot-Carlo
Affiliations

Tribological properties of Ti-based alloys in a simulated bone-implant interface with Ringer's solution at fretting contacts

C R Ramos-Saenz et al. J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2010 Nov.

Abstract

The wear properties of oxidized and non-oxidized gamma-TiAl (a potential biomaterial) as well as Ti-6Al-4V and CP-Ti disks were studied and characterized by means of standard wear tests using a custom made bone pin arrangement. The Ti-based disks were oxidized in air at 500 and 800 degrees C for one hour. The tribological properties of the oxides formed over the disks were studied using a linear reciprocating wear testing machine under both dry and simulated biological conditions using Ringer's solution. Loss of metal oxide and coefficient of friction values were determined from wear testing. From the results, abrasion and adhesion were the primary wear mechanisms in each of the three alloy-bone pairs. Specifically, the oxide formed on gamma-TiAl possessed the highest COF and wear resistance of the three materials which were studied. Also, as expected, bone wears down faster than the Ti-based metal oxide.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Left- Denser extremities of femoral bone of consumable livestock. Right- Finished custom-made bone pin attached to aluminum arm connector.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Images of the oxide layer formed on each of the three alloys after oxidation in air for 1 hour at 500°C and 800°C. The images were taken using a SEM at 1000×, 15kV and 350×, 10kV.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Comparative plot for coefficient of friction (COF) versus number of cycles for the oxidized materials tested against bone pin at 3N load in dry medium, 5Hz frequency, 10mm displacement.
Figure 4
Figure 4
(A) Left: Micrograph (10×) of the wear track in gamma-TiAl (500°C). Right: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in gamma-TiAl (800°C). (B) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in Ti-6Al-4V (500°C). Right: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in Ti-6Al-4V (800°C). (C) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in CP- Ti (500°C). Right: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in CP-Ti (800°C). All samples were tested against a bone pin at 3N load in a dry medium for 500 cycles, 5Hz frequency, 10 mm displacement.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Comparative plot for coefficient of friction (COF) versus number of cycles of Ti-base materials studied against a bone pin at 3N load in dry medium, 5Hz frequency, 10mm displacement.
Figure 6
Figure 6
(A) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in non-oxidized gamma-TiAl. Right: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in gamma-TiAl tested against bone pin. (B): Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in non-oxidized Ti-6Al-4V. Right: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in Ti-6Al-4V tested against bone pin. (C) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in non-oxidized CP-Ti. Right: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in CP-Ti tested against bone pin. All samples were tested against a bone pin at 3N load in a dry medium for 500 cycles, 5Hz frequency, 10 mm displacement.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Comparative plot for coefficient of friction (COF) versus number of cycles of implant materials tested against a bone pin at 3N load in lubricated medium, 5Hz frequency, 10mm displacement.
Figure 8
Figure 8
(A) Left: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in gamma-TiAl (500°C). Right: Micrograph (10×) of the wear track in gamma-TiAl (800°C). (B) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in Ti-6Al-4V (500°C). Right: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in Ti-6Al-4V (800°C). (C) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in CP-Ti (500°C). Right: Micrograph (10×) of the wear track in CP-Ti (800°C). All samples were tested against a bone pin at 3N load in a lubricated medium for 500 cycles, 5Hz frequency, 10 mm displacement.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Comparative plot for coefficient of friction (COF) versus number of cycles of Ti-base materials studied against bone pin at 3N load in lubricated medium, 5Hz frequency, 10mm displacement.
Figure 10
Figure 10
(A) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in non-oxidized gamma-TiAl. Right: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in gamma-TiAl. (B) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in non-oxidized Ti-6Al-4V. Right: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in Ti-6Al-4V tested against bone pin at 3N load in a lubricated medium for 500 cycles, 5Hz frequency, and 10mm displacement. (C) Left: Micrograph (5×) of the wear track in non-oxidized CP-Ti. Right: Micrograph (20×) of the wear track in CP-Ti. All samples were tested against bone pin at 3N load in a lubricated medium for 500 cycles, 5Hz frequency, and 10mm displacement.
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References

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