In vitro biological and tribological properties of transparent magnesium aluminate (Spinel) and aluminum oxynitride (ALON®)

摘要

The purpose of this first generation investigation is to evaluate the in vitro cytotoxicity, cell-materials interactions and tribological performance of Spinel and ALON® transparent ceramics for potential wear resistant load bearing implant applications. Besides their non-toxicity, the high surface energy of these ceramics significantly enhanced in vitro cell-materials interactions compared to bioinert commercially pure Ti as control. These transparent ceramics with high hardness in the range of 1334 and 1543 HV showed in vitro wear rate of the order of 10~(-6) mm~3 Nm~(-1) against Al_2O_3 ball at a normal load of 20 N.