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Tribological and surface analysis of 38mm alumina–as-cast Co–Cr–Mo total hip arthroplasties

Williams, S.R.; Wu, J.J.; Unsworth, A.; Khan, I.

Tribological and surface analysis of 38mm alumina–as-cast Co–Cr–Mo total hip arthroplasties Thumbnail


Authors

S.R. Williams

A. Unsworth

I. Khan



Abstract

There is currently much discussion over the use of ceramic femoral components against metal acetabular cups, for use in total hip arthroplasty. The current study investigates six hot isostatically pressed alumina femoral heads of 38 mm diameter articulating against six as-cast Co–Cr–Mo metallic acetabular cups. Standard walking-cycle simulator wear testing was carried out to 5×10⁶ cycles using the Durham Mark II hip wear simulator, and wear was determined gravimetrically. In addition, surface topography, using a non-contacting profilometer, an atomic force microscope, and an optical microscope, was monitored throughout the wear test. The wear of the ceramic heads was found to be undetectable using the current gravimetric method; however, a change in the surface topography was seen, as grain removal on the pole was observed through atomic force microscopy analysis. A biphasic wear pattern was found for the metallic cups, with low wear rates of 1.04 ± 0.293 mm³/10⁶ cycles (mean, ±95 per cent confidence interval) and 0.0209 ± 0.004 mm³/10⁶ cycles (mean, ±95 per cent confidence interval) for running-in and steady state wear phases respectively. Frictional measurement revealed that the joints were tending towards full fluid-film lubrication in parts of the walking cycle. The results show that the combination of hot isostatically pressed alumina and as-cast Co–Cr–Mo is a promising alternative for total hip arthroplasties.

Citation

Williams, S., Wu, J., Unsworth, A., & Khan, I. (2009). Tribological and surface analysis of 38mm alumina–as-cast Co–Cr–Mo total hip arthroplasties. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 223(8), 941-954. https://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim590

Journal Article Type Article
Online Publication Date Aug 17, 2009
Publication Date Nov 1, 2009
Deposit Date Dec 9, 2009
Publicly Available Date Mar 29, 2024
Journal Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine
Print ISSN 0954-4119
Electronic ISSN 2041-3033
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 223
Issue 8
Pages 941-954
DOI https://doi.org/10.1243/09544119jeim590
Keywords Ceramic on metal, Hip, Alumina, Wear, Friction, Surface analysis, Protein.

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Copyright Statement
© Williams, S. R. and Wu, J. J. and Unsworth, A. and Khan, I., 2009. The definitive, peer reviewed and edited version of this article is published in Proceedings of the I MECH E part H : journal of engineering in medicine, 223, 8, pp. 941-954, 10.1243/09544119JEIM590





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