Articulating Biomaterials

This chapter examines the importance of surface characteristics such as microstructure, composition, crystallographic texture, and surface free energy in achieving desired biocompatibility and tribological properties thereby improving in vivo life of artificial articulating implants. Current implants often fail prematurely due to inadequate mechanical, tribological, biocompatibility, and osseointegration properties, apart from issues related to design and surgical procedures. For long-term in vivo stability, artificial implants intended for articulating joint replacement must exhibit long-term stable articulation surface without stimulating undesirable in vivo effects. Since the implant's surface plays a vital and decisive role in their response to biological environment, and vice versa, surface modification of implants assumes a significant importance. Therefore, overview on important surface modification techniques, their capabilities, properties of modified surfaces/implants are presented in the chapter. The clinical performance of surface modified implants and new surfaces for potential next-generation articulating implant applications are discussed at the end.

Tribological Behavior of Ni-Based Self-Lubricating Composites at Elevated Temperatures

This chapter illustrates the effect of the addition of solid lubricants on the high temperature friction and wear behavior of Ni-based composites. Ni-based composites containing solid lubricant particles both in nano and micrometer range have been fabricated through powder metallurgy route. In order to explore the possible synergetic action of a combination of low and high temperature solid lubricant, nano or micro powders of two or more solid lubricants were added in the composites. This chapter introduces the fabrication of the Ni-based self-lubricating composites containing graphite and/or MoS2, Ag and/or rare earth, Ag and/or hBN as solid lubricants and their friction and wear behavior at room and elevated temperatures. The chapter also includes information on some lubricating composite coatings such as electro-deposited nickel-base coating containing graphite, MoS2, or BN and graphene and their tribological characteristics.

Quickstep Processing of Polymeric Composites

This chapter gives an overview of Quickstep processing method, which is relatively a new technique for manufacturing composites. In this chapter, different aspects of Quickstep processing are highlighted. Since Quickstep processing is an Out-Of-Autoclave (OOA) technique, a brief description of autoclave processing is provided. Basic principle of Quickstep processing and functionality of typical Quickstep plant are also explained. Due to changed chemo-rheology, methodology for cure optimization of different prepregs and composites are discussed with examples. This chapter also includes the literature survey of different aerospace materials being investigated in Quickstep, the potential of new materials development for this process, the melding technique, in service capabilities of Quickstep cured samples and journey of Quickstep from patent to commercialization. Although the technique is commercialized now, few suggestions in the end are provided for the improvement of process.

Simulation of Fragmentation Technique Using ANSYS Software

This chapter addresses the proposal of fragmentation test and its simulation using ANSYS software owing to understand the interfacial adhesion of natural fibre with synthetic matrix. Date palm fibres and epoxy materials are selected for the study. The influence of NaOH concentration and fibre diameter on the interfacial adhesion of the fibre with the epoxy are studied. The results indicated that the addition of the fibre to the matrix significantly improved the mechanical properties of the composites. However, an optimum value for the chemical concentration and the fibre diameters should be considered in developing such materials. High NaOH concentration deteriorates the tensile strength of the fibre. Meanwhile, low NaOH concentration exhibits poor interfacial adhesion.

Advanced Machining Techniques for Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites

This chapter addresses the issues and challenges associated with the conventional drilling of Fiber-Reinforced Plastics (FRPs). The status of the work reported in the area of conventional drilling of FRPs has also been reviewed. Further, the opportunities with the advanced machining techniques have been reported. A state-of-the-art research review has been presented in light of the capability of advanced machining techniques for machining of FRPs. Advanced machining techniques, such as Electric Discharge Machining (EDM), Electrochemical Machining (ECM), Abrasive Water Jet Machining (AWJM), laser beam drilling, vibration-assisted drilling, and Ultrasonic Machining (USM) for FRPs has been discussed. The limitations associated with the advanced machining of FRPs have also been highlighted.

Composites as TRIBO Materials in Engineering Systems

This chapter starts with the importance of composite materials over single-phase materials and further explores the importance of natural fiber reinforced composites over synthetic fiber reinforced composites followed by chemical and physical modifications of the fiber surface to enhance the adhesion between the fiber and the matrix. The chapter also focuses on the different types of wear mechanisms that lead to shutting down the industries and types of different wear test rings to measure the wear rate of a material. Current work also represents a comprehensive literature study on tribological characterisation of composite materials. In addition, it focuses composites as TRIBO material in engineering systems. The effect of tribological operating parameters like load, sliding velocity, sliding distance, temperature, and other influential parameters like fiber length, fiber volume fraction, fiber orientation, and surface treatment on friction and wear rate of composites are also described. Over the past few years composites have been dominant in the emerging materials. The applications areas of composite materials have grown steadily in the various systems of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Medical Engineering, and Automobile Engineering. In engineering systems, failure of parts may occur due to different types of wear mechanisms. The availability of a range of fiber reinforcements, fillers, matrices, and processing techniques offers ample scope for tailoring properties in composites as required for specific applications.

Tribology and Aluminium Matrix Composites

Knowledge of tribology is very old but much attention has been paid only in the 20th century. It is science and technology of interacting surfaces in sliding, rolling, or any other kind of motion. Tribology includes knowledge of wear, friction, and lubrication, which is of much importance in designing of machine components. This chapter deals with an overview of friction, sliding friction, and contributing factors such as adhesion, ploughing, deformation, third body, time dependence, and mechanisms of friction in metallic materials. It also provides an overview of adhesive and abrasive wear and wear mechanism in mild and severe wear regime for metallic materials. Important material properties, environmental effects, and operating parameters have also been highlighted. In the last section, the importance of Particle Aluminium Matrix Composites (PAMCs) with soft and hard dispersion is explained with the help of operative wear mechanisms.

Material and Tribology Issues of Self-Lubricating Copper Matrix Composite

This chapter addresses fundamental issues (i.e. material issue and tribology issue) of the self-lubricating copper matrix composite under dry sliding contact. The development of metal matrix composites for tribological applications relies largely on a trial-and-error method because no adequate knowledge from tribology is involved. To make good metal matrix composites for tribological applications, knowledge from both materials science and tribology are required. This chapter comprehensively introduces the tribological aspect of self-lubricating copper matrix composites for tribological applications. The main mission of this chapter is to introduce the tribological consideration in fabricating copper matrix composite (Cu- graphite and Cu-SiO2 composites as examples) for tribological application. Material aspect (e.g. mixing method, sintering temperature) is briefly reviewed. The main concern is variations of chemical composition, microstructure, and property of tribo-layer of copper matrix composites sliding against different counter-face materials and under different operating conditions.

The Structure of Ventral Scale Textures in Snakes in Comparison to Texturing of Deterministic Tribological Surfaces

This chapter introduces the principles of bio-inspired design texturing of surfaces. Texturing is a leading technology applied to modify surface topography. To date, a standardized procedure to generate deterministic textures is non-existent. In nature, there are many examples of deterministic textures that allow species to condition tribological response for efficient function. This work compares industrial surfaces and the structural makeup of ventral scales in snakes. The authors compare the metrological features of the ventral scales to performance indicators of industrial surfaces. It is shown that the metrological features, key to efficient function of a rubbing deterministic surface, are already optimized in reptilian skin. Further, it is shown that this optimization originates from synchronizing surface form, texture, and topology. Results indicate that mimicking reptilian surfaces is potentially capable of generating advanced deterministic surface constructs of efficient tribological function.

Surface Modifications and Tribological Effect in Orthopedics Implants

In this chapter, the authors illustrate advantages and disadvantages of several surface modification techniques on orthopedics implants. The number of hip and knee replacement procedures per year is one of the highest in medical surgery, and there are many approaches engaged to improve the acceptability of these prosthesis to be suitable for young patients. Surface modification is one of them that has been utilized owing to its potential impacts. A critical review on the major tribological and biological outcomes of these modifications is exclusively described. A few interesting results of recent investigations have been explained for future trends in biotribological effect in orthopedic implants.