Mechanical Properties of Al_2O_3-TiO_2-SiC Nanocomposites for the Femoral Head of Hip Joint Replacement

摘要

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Al_2O_3-TiO_2-SiC nanocomposites were studied. To improve the mechanical and tribological properties of alumina, nano-sized TiO_2 and SiC powders were dispersed. Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) technique, at 1400℃, 50 MPa for 5 minutes, was applied for the densification of Al_2O_3-TiO_2-SiC nanocomposites. Characterization of Al_2O_3-TiO_2SiC nanocomposites was carried out using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffractometer and EDX. Fracture toughness and Vickers hardness were estimated by indentation technique. These experimental results on mechanical properties of Al_2O_3-TiO_2-SiC nanocomposites indicated that they can be a potential material with high hardness and high fracture toughness to be used as femoral head in total hip joint replacement.