Investigation of the friction and surface degradation of innovative chondroplasty materials against articular cartilage

Understanding the wear of the biomaterial-cartilage interface is vital for the development of innovative chondroplasty. The aim of this study was to investigate a number of biphasic materials as potential chondroplasty biomaterials. Simple geometry friction and wear studies were conducted using bovine articular cartilage pins loaded against a range of single-phase and biphasic materials. The frictions of each biomaterial was compared within simple and protein-containing lubricants. Longer-term continuous sliding tests within a protein containing lubricant were also conducted at various loading conditions to evaluate the friction and degradation for each surface. All single-phase materials showed a steady rise in friction, which was dependent on the loss of interstitial fluid load support from the opposing cartilage pin. All biphasic materials demonstrated a marked reduction in friction when compared with the single-phase materials. It is postulated that the biphasic nature of each material allowed an element of fluid load support to be maintained by fluid rehydration and expulsion. In the longer-term study, significant differences in the articular cartilage pin (surface damage) between the positive control (stainless steel) and the negative control (articular cartilage) was found. The potential biphasic chondroplasty materials produced a reduction in articular cartilage pin damage when compared with the single-phase materials. The changes in surface topography of the cartilage pin were associated with increased levels of friction achieved during the continuous wear test. The study illustrated the importance of the biphasic properties of potential chondroplasty materials, and future work will focus on the optimization of biphasic properties as well as long-term durability, such that materials will more closely mimic the biotribology of natural articular cartilage.     

The effect of glycosaminoglycan depletion on the friction and deformation of articular cartilage

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) have been shown to be responsible for the interstitial fluid pressurization of articular cartilage and hence its compressive stiffness and load-bearing properties. Contradictory evidence has been presented in the literature on the effect of depleting GAGs on the friction properties of articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of depleting GAGs on the friction and deformation characteristics of articular cartilage under different tribological conditions. A pin-on-plate machine was utilized to measure the coefficient of friction of native and chondroitinase ABC (CaseABC)-treated articular cartilage under two different models: static (4 mm/s start-up velocity) and dynamic (4 mm/s sliding velocity; 4 mm stroke length) under a load of 25 N (0.4 MPa contact stress) and with phosphate-buffered saline as the lubricant. Indentation tests were carried out at 1 N and 2 N loads (0.14 MPa and 0.28 MPa contact stress levels) to study the deformation characteristics of both native and GAG-depleted cartilage samples. CaseABC treatment rendered the cartilage tissue soft owing to the loss of compressive stiffness and a sulphated-sugar assay confirmed the loss of GAGs from the cartilage samples. CaseABC treatment significantly increased (by more than 50 per cent) the friction levels in the dynamic model (p < 0.05) at higher loading times owing to the loss of biphasic lubrication. CaseABC treatment had no effect on friction in the static model in which the cartilage surfaces did not have an opportunity to recover fluid because of static loading unlike the cartilage tissue in the dynamic model, in which translation of the cartilage surfaces was involved, ensuring effective biphasic lubrication. Therefore the depletion of GAGs had a smaller effect on the coefficient of friction for the static model. Indentation tests showed that GAG-depleted cartilage samples had a lower elastic modulus and higher permeability than native tissue. These results corroborate the role of GAGs in the compressive and friction properties of articular cartilage and emphasize the need for developing strategies to control GAG loss from diseased articular cartilage tissue.     

水凝胶/热塑性聚氨酯复合材料在水润滑条件下的摩擦学性能

为提高水润滑轴承的承载能力，利用水凝胶在水润滑条件下的水合作用来改善热塑性聚氨酯（TPU）轴承材料的摩擦学性能。利用聚乙烯醇、海藻酸钠、壳聚糖等材料制备水凝胶颗粒，并通过熔融共混法制备水凝胶/TPU复合材料；在0.3和0.5 MPa的载荷下测试复合材料的摩擦磨损性能，利用激光干涉表面轮廓仪和扫描电子显微镜观察其磨损表面形貌，分析其磨损机制。结果表明：水凝胶微粒可以通过水合润滑改善摩擦副的润滑条件，从而降低摩擦因数和磨损量，提高复合材料的摩擦性能；水凝胶质量分数4%时复合材料具有最佳的摩擦磨损性能，其在0.3和0.5 MPa工况下相对于TPU试样的平均摩擦因数减少率分别为52.31%和43.94%。研究结果为开发高性能水润滑轴承材料提供了一种方法。     

纤维增强树脂基摩阻材料的摩擦学研究进展

综述了纤维增强树脂基摩阻材料的研究和发展，主要分析了树脂基体、增强纤维和填料以及温度和PV值对摩阻材料摩擦学性能的影响及作用机理，简述了摩阻材料磨损机理的研究现状和主要磨损类型。并提出了今后研究摩阻材料应重视的问题。     

Wear and Friction Characteristics of Magnetorheological Fluid under Magnetic Field Activation

In this article, wear and friction characteristics of a magnetorheological (MR) fluid were studied under different magnetic fields. Using a pin-on-disc tribometer, the wear loss and friction coefficient were obtained with and without a magnetic field. The friction and wear of three typical materials under magnetic field were investigated at various normal loads and rotating speeds. After the wear tests, the worn surfaces of specimens were observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in order to investigate the wear mechanisms, and the contacting surfaces were analyzed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to investigate the variation of elemental composition on the worn surface. Test results showed that the MR fluid exhibits better tribological characteristics under a magnetic field compared to the case without a magnetic field. The general morphology of the MR particles and wear debris was observed to assist with the analysis of friction and wear. The SEM micrographs and EDS spectra of the worn surfaces showed that the predominant wear mechanism in the case of the steel and brass specimens was abrasive wear by asperities and MR particles on the worn surfaces, whereas a mixed wear mechanism that included adhesive wear and abrasive wear was observed in the case of the aluminum specimen.     

Tribological Properties of Potassium Titanate in the Brake Friction Material; Morphological Effects

The tribological characteristics of brake friction materials containing different shapes of potassium titanate were investigated. They contain typical ingredients of a non-asbestos organic based friction material, including potassium titanate in the shapes of whiskers, platelets, and splinters. A Krauss type friction tester is used to obtain thermal stability and wear resistance of the friction materials at elevated temperatures. The results showed that the morphology of potassium titanate plays an important role in the formation of contact plateaus and transfer films on the rubbing surfaces, which are closely associated with tribological properties. The friction material with splinter shape potassium titanate shows better friction stability and improved wear resistance compared to those containing other types of potassium titanate due to larger contact plateaus and stable friction films at the sliding interface. On the other hand, the transfer films produced by the friction materials with platelet or whisker potassium titanate are not sustainable at elevated temperatures since they are easily detached during sliding, resulting in poor wear resistance.     

Tribological testing of articular cartilage of the medial compartment of the knee using a friction simulator

The aim of this study was to develop a tribological simulation of a unicondylar natural knee, to measure the friction and wear of articular cartilage (AC) against itself (AC-vs-AC) and against stainless steel (SS) simulating a hemiarthroplasty (AC-vs-SS). AC-vs-AC produced low levels of friction and no wear was found. AC-vs-SS showed higher levels of friction and significant AC wear. Using AC-vs-SS with elevated loading, the wear of AC was accelerated and through to bone. This study demonstrated the importance of contact stress in the design of a spacer hemiarthroplasty for the medial compartmental knee. Initial results showed the importance of contact mechanics, stress and biomaterial type in determining short-term tribological function and long-term clinical outcome of hemiarthroplasty.     

Effects of Resin Type and Fiber Length on the Mechanical and Tribological Properties of Brake Friction Materials

In this study, the effects of resin type and fiber length on mechanical properties and friction characteristics of automotive brake materials were studied. Three types of resin, viz. straight phenolic resin (SR), cashew nut shell liquid modified resin (CR), and melamine resin (MR) were used as matrix material. Lapinus with different lengths was used as inorganic fiber. Three series of friction composites composed of nine composites in the form of brake materials were manufactured. Physical, mechanical, and tribological properties of all composites were investigated. The friction tests were performed using a Chase type friction tester. The results showed that both resin type and fiber length played an important role on the mechanical and tribological properties of the friction materials. The highest and the lowest friction coefficient for resin types were recorded for SR and MR composites, respectively, while MR and CR composites showed the highest and the lowest wear resistance, respectively. For the fiber length considered, increasing the fiber length increased the wear resistance of the composites. The coefficient of friction, in general, showed a good correlation with the wear resistance of the composites. But, there was no clear correlation with the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. The morphological features of worn surfaces and wear debris of the composites were analyzed in order to understand the friction and wear mechanisms of this tribosystem.     

Recent developments in the tribology of artificial joints

A history of the tribological development of artificial joints compares how these are lubricated with the mechanisms involved in human joints. It is concluded that while healthy human joints are lubricated by fluid film action, all current artificial joints at best are lubricated by mixed lubrication and hence wear is taking place throughout the life of the prosthesis. A new concept in artificial joints is described. Soft elastic layers simulate articular cartilage and if selected carefully can develop full fluid film lubrication with consequential low friction and minimal wear.     

石墨种类对铜基粉末冶金摩擦材料性能的影响

采用柔性石墨、造粒石墨和鳞片石墨分别制备粉末冶金烧结摩擦材料，研究不同种类片状石墨对摩擦材料摩擦磨损性能的影响。结果表明：不同种类石墨制备的摩擦材料的密度和力学强度差异，将影响材料基体在制动过程中的组织形态，使摩擦界面呈现不同的磨损形式，其中柔性石墨摩擦材料的主要磨损机制为氧化磨损，造粒石墨摩擦材料的主要磨损机制为犁削磨损和磨粒磨损，鳞片石墨摩擦材料的主要磨损机制为犁削磨损和黏着磨损；造粒石墨制备的摩擦材料在不同速度下制动和重复单次制动时的摩擦因数波动值较小，摩擦因数稳定性好，且具有适中的磨耗量，综合摩擦磨损性能最佳。     

Effects of Zinc Borate and Fly Ash on the Mechanical and Tribological Characteristics of Brake Friction Materials

Friction materials based on several combinations of zinc borate (ZB) and fly ash (FA) were fabricated and characterized for their mechanical and tribological performance. The triboperformance of the friction materials was evaluated on a Chase friction testing machine according to the brake lining quality test procedure as per SAE J661. The composites were manufactured based on a nonasbestos organic-based friction material for an automotive brake system and contained typical ingredients for commercial brake friction materials. The composites had a fixed composition of 15 wt% resin, 15 wt% fibers, and 5 wt% friction additives. ZB and FA as fillers were added to the the raw materials mixture at a total fraction of 65 wt%. The results showed that ZB and FA contents have a significant influence on the mechanical and tribological properties of the friction composites. In particular, the composites containing 0–5 wt% ZB and 65–60 wt% FA showed better friction stability and improved fade resistance compared to those containing 10–35 wt% ZB and 55–30 wt% FA, whereas the composite with 5 wt% ZB and 60 wt% FA showed a maximum friction coefficient. On the other hand, the specific wear rate of the composites decreased with increasing ZB and decreasing FA contents. The morphologies of the worn surfaces as well as wear debris were analyzed by means of scanning electron microscopy.     

The Microstructure and Wear Characteristics of Cu–Fe Matrix Friction Material with Addition of SiC

The Cu–Fe matrix continuous braking friction materials using SiC as abrasive were fabricated by powder metallurgy technique, and the effect of content and size of SiC were investigated. The tribological properties of friction materials sliding against AISI 1045 steel ring were carried out on a block-on-ring tester at different loads and sliding speeds. The strengthening effect of nano-SiC (55 nm) was superior to that of micro-SiC (70 μm) of the tribological properties for friction materials. The friction coefficients of friction materials increased with increasing nano-SiC content. However, the wear rates decreased with increasing nano-SiC content and then increased when the content of nano-SiC particle exceeded 10 wt%. The specimen contained 10% nano-SiC had the best tribological properties at different testing conditions.     

PTFE基复合材料海水润滑下的摩擦学性能研究

研究碳纤维/聚四氟乙烯（CF/PTFE）、玻璃纤维/聚四氟乙烯（GF/PTFE）复合材料与氮化硅陶瓷配副在海水环境下的摩擦学性能与润滑机制,分析滑动速度对摩擦副海水润滑性能的影响规律。结果表明：在海水润滑条件下,随着滑动速度的增加,PTFE、CF/PTFE、GF/PTFE材料与Si3N4陶瓷配副时的摩擦学性能均有明显改善,摩擦因数与磨损率均呈显著降低的趋势,其中CF/PTFE复合材料表现出更为优异的摩擦学性能,在1 000 r/min滑动速度下摩擦因数低至0.026。磨损表面表征结果表明,在海水润滑条件下,PTFE基复合材料在摩擦过程中由于摩擦化学反应生成了润滑膜,可为摩擦副提供良好的润滑和减磨作用,从而减少摩擦磨损行为的发生。     

The Use of D-optimal Design for Modeling and Analyzing the Tribological Characteristics of Journal Bearing Materials Lubricated by Nano-Based Biolubricants

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on a D-optimal design was employed to investigate the tribological characteristics of journal bearing materials such as brass, bronze, and copper lubricated by a biolubricant, chemically modified rapeseed oil (CMRO). The wear and friction performance were observed for the bearing materials tested with TiO₂, WS₂, and CuO nanoadditives dispersed in the CMRO. The tests were performed by selecting sliding speed and load as numerical factors and nano-based biolubricant/bearing materials as the categorical factor to evaluate the tribological characteristics such as the coefficient of friction (COF) and specific wear rate. The results showed that RSM based on a D-optimal design was instrumental in the selection of suitable journal bearing materials for a typical system, especially one lubricated by nano-based biolubricant. At a sliding speed of 2.0 m/s and load of 100 N, the bronze bearing material with CMRO containing CuO nanoparticles had the lowest COF and wear rate. In addition, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examination of the worn bearing surfaces showed that the bronze bearing material lubricated with CMRO containing CuO nanoadditive is smoother than copper/brass bearing material.     

Multiscale analysis of the tribological role of the molecular assemblies of synovial fluid. Case of a healthy joint and implants

The aim of this work is to identify the coupled role of the biological components of synovial fluid in the remarkable tribological operation of a healthy natural joint, as well as in the friction of steel and polythene implants. It uses a realistic ex vivo model capable of reproducing the mechanical and physicochemical characteristics of the entire tribological triplet of the joint, whether healthy or implanted. It particularly focuses on the lipidic bilayers and vesicle structures associated with synovial fluid. The analysis of the friction measurements and fluorescence microscopy images confirm the role of lipidic bilayers in maintaining a very low friction coefficient. In addition, we observe that the substitute cartilage favours the formation and maintenance of these bilayers, which is not the case of implant materials.     

外部因素对工程陶瓷材料摩擦磨损特性影响的研究

除材料本身特性外,外部因素如载荷、滑动速度、滑行距离、温度、环境以及摩擦方式等因素同样影响材料的摩擦磨损特性。本文探讨了外部因素对结构陶瓷摩擦磨损的影响,旨在促进在特定工况下正确使用相应的陶瓷材料作为摩擦学部件。     

The Influence of Water Addition on High-Temperature Tribological Properties of Interstitial Free Steel Sliding against Different Counterparts

The influence of only water addition on the hot metal forming process has not yet been reported in regard to tribological performance. In the present study, simulation tests were carried out on a pin-on-disc tribometer to evaluate the effects of water lubrication on the wear and friction behaviors of interstitial free (IF) steel sliding against different countersurface materials at 800°C in comparison with those in dry sliding. The opposing materials were selected as GCr15 steel and ceramic-based compounds including ZrO₂, SiC, and Si₃N₄. It has been found that Si-based component–IF steel pairs exhibit the lowest wear losses despite achieving relatively high friction. Water addition adversely impairs the friction and wear characteristics on steel-steel tribopairs, whereas it shows insignificant effects on the pair involving ceramic-based components except ZrO₂. Varying tribological responses can be found among different mated surfaces under water lubrication. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were utilized to examine the worn surface. The acting mechanism of water addition for different rubbing pairs was further discussed from the aspects of oxide tribochemistry.     

WC-10Co-MoS2@Ni自润滑硬质合金与钛合金的摩擦学性能研究

为探究WC-10Co-MoS2@Ni自润滑硬质合金与TC4钛合金的摩擦学性能，通过热压烧结制备不同含量MoS2@Ni的硬质合金试样，采用扫描电子显微镜、三维轮廓仪、维氏硬度计等分析自润滑硬质合金的组织结构和力学性能，利用往复式摩擦试验机研究干摩擦、切削液环境和深冷环境下硬质合金与钛合金的摩擦学性能。结果表明：随着硬质合金中MoS2@Ni含量的增加，表面孔隙减少，力学性能缓慢下降；在干摩擦、切削液环境和深冷环境下，摩擦因数均随MoS2@Ni含量的增加而降低；钛合金和硬质合金在干摩擦时由于钛合金的黏附，阻碍了MoS2发挥润滑作用，磨损形式以黏着和氧化为主；在切削液环境中磨损形式以磨粒磨损和黏着磨损为主，而在深冷环境下减少了氧化和黏着，其磨损形式主要为磨粒磨损，并伴有分层磨损现象。     

A test method to investigate the tribological behaviour of friction materials under ultrasonic fretting conditions

To investigate and understand the tribological behaviour of high-frequency tribosystems such as ultrasonic motors, a specific test method is necessary. This work reports on the construction of a test machine to evaluate the friction and wear behaviour of friction materials under ultrasonic fretting conditions, as well as giving some representative experimental results. Hard/soft (steel/polymer) and hard/hard (steel/alumina, alumina/alumina) couples were studied with respect to their application as contact materials in ultrasonic motors. Investigation of friction behaviour at high frequencies showed that friction-induced vibrations lead to friction forces of much lower magnitude than predicted by quasistationary friction coefficients obtained for sliding friction. The wear behaviour is characterised by abrasive, adhesive, fatigue and oxidative mechanisms, depending on the mating materials. For polymeric friction materials, the influence of fibre reinforcement and the incorporation of PTFE as a solid lubricant were evaluated. The presence of PTFE resulted in a strong improvement of both friction and wear behaviour.     

Hot wear properties of ceramic and basalt fiber reinforced hybrid friction materials

In the present study, hybrid friction materials were manufactured using ceramic and basalt fibers. Ceramic fiber content was kept constant at 10 vol% and basalt fiber content was changed between 0 to 40 vol%. Mechanical properties and friction and wear characteristics of friction materials were determined using a pin-on-disc type apparatus against a cast iron counterface in the sliding speeds of 3.2–12.8 m/s, disc temperature of 100–350 °C and applied loads of 312.5–625 N. The worn surfaces of the specimens were examined by SEM. Experiments show that fiber content has a significant influence on the mechanical and tribological properties of the composites. The friction coefficient of the hybrid friction materials was increased with increasing additional basalt fiber content. But the specific wear rates of the composites decreased up to 30 vol% fiber content and then increased again above this value. The wear tests showed that the coefficient of friction decreases with increasing load and speed but increases with increasing disc temperature up to 300 °C. The most important factor effecting wear rate was the disc temperature followed by sliding speed. The materials showing higher specific wear rates gave relatively coarser wear particles. XRD studies showed that Fe and Fe₂O₃ were present in wear debris at severe wear conditions which is indicating the disc wear.