The wear characteristics of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene against a high density alumina ceramic under wet (distilled water) and dry conditions

The introduction of ceramic components into total replacement joints for the human body in the last decade has attracted considerable attention. In most cases in which a ceramic component is used a ceramic femoral head is located on a metallic femoral stem, whilst the acetabular cup is made from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene. In some designs a ceramic acetabular cup is used in association with the ceramic femoral head. A study of the basic wear characteristics of sliding pairs of high density polycrystalline ceramics is reported in this paper. Tests have been carried out under both ‘dry’ and ‘wet’ (distilled water) conditions in a tri-pin-on-disc wear testing machine. It is shown that sliding pairs of alumina ceramics exhibit remarkably low wear under dry conditions when subjected to small loads, but that high loads lead to rapid deterioration of the interacting surfaces and the onset of very high wear rates. The presence of distilled water generally permits smooth sliding at higher loads than are possible under dry conditions, but the wear rate increases by a factor of about ten over those encountered at low loads in air. The slight advantage of sliding pairs of alumina over high density polyethylene sliding on stainless steel as far as wear is concerned is not evident if the comparison is made with high density polyethylene sliding on high density ceramic in the presence of distilled water.

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Short‐time fabrication of well‐mixed high‐density polyethylene/ultrahigh‐molecular‐weight polyethylene blends under elongational flow: morphology, mechanical properties and mechanism

Polymer International ◽

10.1002/pi.5780 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 68 (5) ◽

pp. 904-914 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Wangyang Lin ◽

Zhi‐Tao Yang ◽

Jin‐Ping Qu

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Molecular Weight ◽

High Density Polyethylene ◽

Elongational Flow ◽

Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene ◽

High Density ◽

Polyethylene Blends ◽

Ultrahigh Molecular Weight ◽

Flow Morphology ◽

Short Time

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Tribological behavior of an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene in lubricated environments

e-Polymers ◽

10.1515/epoly.2011.11.1.667 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

O. K. Kahyaoglu ◽

H Unal ◽

A Mimaroglu ◽

S.H. Yetgin

Keyword(s):

Molecular Weight ◽

Wear Rate ◽

Coefficient Of Friction ◽

Salt Solution ◽

Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene ◽

Specific Wear Rate ◽

Distilled Water ◽

Aisi 304L ◽

Ultrahigh Molecular Weight ◽

The Coefficient Of Friction

AbstractThe wear and friction performance of GUR 1020 grade ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymer was studied in distilled water, HASS (Hank’s balanced salt solution) and several protein lubrication environments. Wear tests were carried out using polymer pin -on AISI 304L stainless steel disc apparatus. Tests conditions were room temperature, 40N, 80N and 120N applied loads and 0.5 m/s sliding speed. For the range of load and speed value of this work, the coefficient of friction and wear rate for UHMWPE polymer decreases with the increase in applied load values. The coefficient of friction is highest and the specific wear rate values is lowest under HASS +HA solution lubricant. The average specific wear rate values for UHMWPE polymer under distilled water and HASS+HA (Hank’s balanced salt solution with Hyaluronic acid) lubrication conditions are in the order of 9x10-15 m2/N and 3x10-15 m2/N respectively. The wear mechanism includes abrasion and adhesive processes.

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