Nano-crystallines have been found on the bearing surfaces of metallic artificial hip replacements. They have very unique properties in terms of wear resistance. It was thought to be induced by mechanical processes (tribology) during service. However, electrochemical process (corrosion) plays an important role both on the material degradation and the formation of tribofilms. This study focuses on the characteristics of nano crystallines generated in simulated body environments. Nanoindentation was employed to study the mechanical properties such as the hardness and Young's modulus. Synchrotron was used to gain 3-D X-ray images of nano crystallins. And Small angle X-ray scattering was conducted to assess the size distribution of nano crystallines. In conclusions, corrosion can alter the size and hardness of nano crystallines. Organic species (proteins) can also influence the properties of crystallines on the near surface of specimens in bitotribocorrosion systems.
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