Wear and friction of titanium nitride on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene in articulating orthopedic applications

摘要

An oscillating tribometer was used to investigate the wear mechanisms of TiN (titanium nitride) on UHMWPe (ultra high-molecular-weight polyethylene), oscillating either a coating/substrate system (TiN/Ti-6Al-4V) or a CoCr (cobalt chromium) coupon, for control, on three pins of UHMWPe in a planar configuration. Oscillations were carried out to 10-million cycles in order to discover and evaluate long-term wear mechanisms. Mass differentials, profilometries, and torque were established for each test at specific intervals producing wear volumes and rates, and a measure of any alteration of physical condition during each test. Analysis of the results reveals parameters for optimizing the TiN coating on orthopedic implants.