Deposition of Biocompatible Polymers by 3D Printing (FDM) on Titanium Alloy

Nowadays, the replacement of a hip joint is a standard surgical procedure. However, researchers have continuingly been trying to upgrade endoprostheses and make them more similar to natural joints. The use of 3D printing could be helpful in such cases, since 3D-printed elements could mimic the natural lubrication mechanism of the meniscus. In this paper, we propose a method to deposit plastics directly on titanium alloy using 3D printing (FDM). This procedure allows one to obtain endoprostheses that are more similar to natural joints, easier to manufacture and have fewer components. During the research, biocompatible polymers suitable for 3D FDM printing were used, namely polylactide (PLA) and polyamide (PA). The research included tensile and shear tests of metal–polymer bonds, friction coefficient measurements and microscopic observations. The friction coefficient measurements revealed that only PA was promising for endoprostheses (the friction coefficient for PLA was too high). The strength tests and microscopic observations showed that PLA and PA deposition by 3D FDM printing directly on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy is possible; however, the achieved bonding strength and repeatability of the process were unsatisfactory. Nevertheless, the benefits arising from application of this method mean that it is worthwhile to continue working on this issue.

Nanostructures of Phospholipids on Articular Cartilage Surface and their Functions

Phospholipids bilayers fulfill an important role in natural joint lamellar-repulsive lubrication mechanism. Low friction between surfaces coated with negatively charged the phospholipid headgroup (–PO4-) as being due to a hydration layer. Wettability of the cartilage surface depends on the number of PLs that act as a lubricant. The cartilage can be classified as a group of intelligent material, which in the wet state has a contact angle of ~0º, and the air-dry state has a contact angle of ~104º.

Transient thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic analysis of a bidirectional thrust bearing in start-up and shutdown processes

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to reveal the transient thermo-elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication mechanism of a bidirectional thrust bearing in a pumped-storage unit, and to propose the transient simulation method of two-way fluid-solid-thermal interaction of thrust bearing.Design/methodology/approachThe transient fluid-solid-thermal interaction method is used to simulate the three-dimensional lubrication of the thrust bearing, during the start-up and shutdown process of a pumped storage unit. A pad including an oil hole is modelled to analyze the temporal variation of lubrication characteristics, such as the film pressure, thickness and temperature, during the transient operation process.FindingsThe injection of the high-pressure oil sufficiently affects the lubrication characteristics on film, in which the hysteresis phenomena were found between the start-up and shutdown possess.Originality/valueThis paper reveals the transient lubrication mechanism of tilting pad in a thrust bearing, by means of transient fluid-solid-thermal interaction method. Lubrication characteristics are simulated without assuming the temperature relationship between the oil film inlet and the outlet and the heat transfer on the pad free surface. This paper provides a theoretical basis for the safe design and stable operation of thrust bearings.

Synergistic lubricating performance of h-BN/GF nanoparticles as oil additives for steel-steel contact

The major objective of this work is to investigate the synergistic lubricating performance of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphite fluoride (GF) nanoparticles (NPs) as lubricant additive in white oil. The tribological tests were carried out on steel-steel contacts using reciprocating ball-on-disk tribometer. Compared with white oil, addition of 0.1 wt. % h-BN/GF reduced the friction coefficient, wear rate and wear depth by 41.1 %, 89.1 %, and 92.3 %, respectively. Furthermore, when the mass ratio of h-BN and GF is 1:1 and the content of h-BN/GF nanocomposites is 0.1 wt. % the white oil show the best lubrication and wear resistance performance. Finally, the synergistic lubrication mechanism was investigated, the unique microstructure of the h-BN/GF composite and weak interfacial interaction between h-BN and GF contributed to the formation of continuous and adhesive tribo-films at the interface.

Effect of Micro-Textured Surfaces and Sliding Speed on the Lubrication Mechanism and Friction-Wear Characteristics of CF/PEEK Rubbing against 316L Stainless Steel under Seawater Lubrication

In this work, the lubrication mechanism and friction-wear characteristics of the friction pair between carbon-fiber-reinforced polyether ether ketone (CF/PPEK) and 316L stainless steel with a micro-hemispherical pit textured surface at different sliding speeds under seawater lubrication were studied through numerical simulation and experimental investigation. The study results indicate that the seawater moves following the sliding direction of the upper specimen, forms a vortex ring flow in the hemispherical pit of the bottom specimen, uses the convergent gap to generate a hydrodynamic effect, produces the bearing capacity, and realizes fluid lubrication. The hemispherical pit diminishes the abrasive wear during the friction process by storing the wear debris, and the main wear forms of the hemispherical-pit surface friction pair are oxidative wear and adhesive wear. The friction coefficient of the hemispherical-pit surface friction pair is 0.018–0.027, the specimen contact temperature is 40.2–55.1 °C, and it is always in the hydrodynamic lubrication state in a rotation speed ranging from 1000 r/min to 1750 r/min. As the sliding speed increases, the specimen contact temperature climbs, and the oxidation reaction gradually becomes full. Oxidative wear and adhesive wear alternately play a dominant role in the friction, and the wear rate first decreases and then increases sharply.

Insight into friction and lubrication performances of surface-textured cylinder liners and piston rings

The effects of surface-texture technology on the friction and lubrication mechanism of cylinder liner-piston rings (CLPR) were explored in this study. An inclined groove texture was machined on the CL of a S195 diesel engine and dimples designed on the gas ring. Friction and wear tests of nontextured (NT), CL textured (CLT), and PR textured (PRT) conditions were performed on a CLTR friction and wear tester under different temperatures. First, the characteristics of friction and lubrication at different temperatures were analyzed by examining friction and contact resistance. Then, the wear characteristics were analyzed by examining surface morphology parameters of the CL and the PR wear mass after testing. Finally, the friction and lubrication mechanisms of NT, CLT, and PRT were studied by analyses of real-time friction and contact resistance in one cycle. The results showed that, under the same temperature, CLT and PRT increased oil film thickness, improved the lubrication state, and reduced friction, with CLT better than PRT in these respects. With increased temperature, the wear degree of CL liners became larger. The existence of surface texture reduced CL wear, yielded CL surface morphology not excessively changed by temperature, and improved its supporting performance and oil storage capacity. The inlet suction effect, structural effect, micro-wedge action, balancing wedge action, squeezing effect, and cavitation effect should be taken into account together when exploring the mechanism of the influence of surface texture on friction pairs. This study provided a method for scholars to explore the friction and lubrication mechanism of different texture types and provided an experimental basis for improving the performance of CLPR friction pairs.

The effect of deactivated phospholipids on joints lubrication: Osteoarthritis and lubricating properties

PLs bilayers coating the major synovial joints such as knees and hips as the lubricant are responsible for the lubrication of articular cartilage. Lamellar-repulsive effect has been considered as a lubrication mechanism but it is likely that lubricin and hyaluronan with PLs participate in the lubrication process. The molecules of lubricin and hyaluronan adsorbed by PLs have a supportive role and provide the efficient lubrication of synovial joints via the hydration mechanism (~ 80% water content). Lipid profiles of injured and healthy knees’ synovial fluids show significant differences. The phospholipid content in synovial fluid (SF) during joint inflammation, osteoarthritis is significantly higher (2 to 3 times) above the normal concentration of PL, and has a poor boundary-lubricating ability because of deactivated PL molecules. Deactivated PL molecule has no ability to form bilayers, lamellar phases, and liposomes.