Tribological Studies of Different Bioimplant Materials for Orthopaedic Application

This paper aims to introduce the bioimplant material by considering the tribological properties used in biomedical engineering. Sliding wear performances of four different materials like CoCrMo, SS316L, TIGR2 and TIGR5 are compared in this study. Tribological behaviour was studied considering the Specific Wear rate (SWR), coefficient of friction (COF) and the presiding wear mechanism under dry and wet conditions. The wear test was carried out to check the properties of orthopaedic bioimplant substrate materials. Our results revealed that the COF of TIGR5, TIGR2 under dry and wet test was found between the CoCrMo and SS316L. The experimental result showed that CoCrMo having less COF and SS316L having more COF compare to other bioimplant materials. After the wear test, the weight loss and SWR of CoCrMo were found to be less as compared to other materials considered in this study. The worn surface of different substrate materials was analysed with the help of SEM. In experimental graph obtained from WINDUCOM 2010 machine software, the minute fluctuation was observed in the friction curve and COF curve during the wet test.

Bicycle Disc Brake Thermal Performance: Combining Dynamometer Tests, Bicycle Experiments, and Modeling

High-power bicycle disc braking can create excessive temperatures and boiling brake fluid, resulting in performance degradation and damage. The goal of this work is to understand brake friction performance and thermal behavior for bicycle disc brakes. A previously described disc braking dynamometer is used to assess brake pad performance of sintered metallic brake pads, organic brake pads, and ‘power’ organic pads in up to 400 W of braking power. The friction coefficient is found to be dependent on both temperature and normal force. Friction curve fits are provided for temperatures between 300 K and 550 K. Organic and ‘power’ organic pads are found to have similar behavior, and have higher friction coefficients compared to metallic pads. Further, brakes on an instrumented bicycle are tested in outdoor field trials during downhill descent. A MATLAB thermal model successfully predicts the downhill field brake disc temperatures when using the friction data curve fits.

Fabrication of Self-Lubricating Porous UHMWPE with Excellent Mechanical Properties and Friction Performance via Rotary Sintering

Porous ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) self-lubricating materials were designed and fabricated by a rotary sintering method, and the microstructure and properties were evaluated. Results showed that the rotary molding could not only significantly improve the molding efficiency but also formed uniform internal microstructures with high porosity, excellent mechanical properties, and low friction coefficient. Under oil lubricating conditions, the friction curve of samples quickly reached a steady state, the friction coefficient was reduced by 50%, and the repeat utilization was up to 99%. The following optimum sintering conditions were shown: Sintering temperature of 180 °C or 190 °C, sintering time determined as 10 min, and loading capacity of between 3.6 g and 3.8 g. Therefore, it is expected that this work will open a convenient and compatible strategy for fabricating porous materials with good self-lubricating performance.

The tribological performance of engineered micro-surface topography by picosecond laser on PEEK

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of engineered micro-structures on the tribological properties of metal-polyetheretherketone (PEEK) surface. Design/methodology/approach Circular dimples with diameters of 25 and 50 µm were designed and manufactured on PEEK plate specimens using picosecond laser. Reciprocating friction and wear tests on a ball-on-flat configuration were performed to evaluate the tribological properties of the designed micro-structures in dry contacts. The loading forces of 0.9 and 3 N were applied. Findings As a result, obvious fluctuations of coefficient of friction curve were observed in tribosystems consisting of non-textured and textured PEEK with circular dimples of 25 µm in diameter. GCr15 ball/textured PEEK plate specimens with circular dimples of 50 µm in diameter revealed a superior friction and wear property. Originality/value Different to the existing studies in which the tribopairs consist of hard bearing couples, this study investigated the tribological properties of the engineered micro-structures on the hard-on-soft bearing couples.

Skin and Toe Resistance Mobilisation of Pile During Laboratory Static Load Test

This article shows the mathematical method to determine the lateral stress on the shaft and toe resistance of pile using the new approach. The method was originally invented by Meyer and Kowalow for the static load test. The approximation curve was used for the estimation of both settlement curve and toe resistance curve of the pile. The load applied at the head of the pile is balanced by the sum of two components: the resistance under the toe of the pile and the skin friction. Therefore, the settlement curve is compilation of two factors: the skin friction curve and the resistance under toe curve. The analysis was based on the verification of the methods using laboratory experiments, that is, static load tests. The results of the research allowed to determine the relationship between parameters of the Meyer–Kowalow curve. On the basis of the relationships, it was possible to determine the skin friction and the toe resistance of the pile. Mathematical analysis of curve parameters allowed to determine the influence of the toe resistance on the settlement.

Laboratory Research of Toe Resistance Based on Static Pile Load Tests in Different Schemes

Transfer of axial force from the head of a pile to the surrounding soil by skin friction and toe resistance is still uncertain. The results of the static pile load test are usually presented as settlement curve. This curve can be divided into two components: skin friction curve and toe resistance curve according to the settlement. Laboratory research of pile load test was carried out in two schemes: with skin friction and without skin friction. The study proved that the toe resistance with and without skin friction is not the same. Skin friction influence on toe resistance due to settlement. This phenomenon is not usually taken into account, but very often has a significant impact on axially applied load transfer. In the paper results of laboratory pile load tests id, different schemes were presented.