Study on the effect of hydrodynamic pressure on the tribological performance of textured bioimplants

摘要

Surface texturing is an effective technology in improving the tribological performance of artificial joints. However, the mechanism behind it is still a controversial topic, especially when talking about the functionality of hydrodynamic pressure. In this paper, Finite Difference Method was used to solve the steady-state Reynolds equation. It was found that, under the given conditions, hydrodynamic pressure only played a minor role in the tribological performance of textured bioimplants. A further theoretical study indicated that this phenomenon was attributed to the working environments of artificial joints: low viscosity lubricant and low sliding speed. A comparison study between tribo-systems with various working conditions also showed that hydrodynamic pressure played a more important role in the systems either under fast speed or lubricated by high-viscosity solution. Finally, a pin-on-disk frictional study was carried out with different sliding velocities and it was confirmed that hydrodynamic pressure has little effect on the tribological performance of textured bioimplants.