Tribology of total artificial joints.

The tribology of total artificial replacement joints is reviewed. The majority of prosthesis currently implanted comprise a hard metallic component which articulates on ultra high molecular weight polyethylene surface. These relatively hard bearing surfaces operate with a mixed or boundary lubrication regime, which results in wear and wear debris from the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene surface. This debris can contribute to loosening and ultimate failure of the prostheses. The tribological performance of these joints has been considered and a number of factors which may contribute to increased wear rates have been identified. Cushion bearing surfaces consisting of low elastic modulus materials which can articulate with full fluid film lubrication are also described. These bearing surfaces have shown the potential for greatly reducing wear debris.     

Effect of applied voltage on friction and wear characteristics in mixed lubrication

The effect of an electric field applied between rubbing surfaces on friction and wear characteristics was examined using a ballon-disc testing apparatus under different lubrication conditions. The lubrication conditions were changed by changing the viscosity of the lubricants. By applying an electric field between the rubbing surfaces, the oxidation of the rubbing surface at the anode side is enhanced, and suppressed on the cathode side surface. The oxide film formed on the anode surface being harder than the bulk steel, the rubbing surface at the anode side was little worn, but that at the cathode side was abrasively worn. This wear characteristic could be utilised to attain favourable running-in. The application of an electric field, however, is considered to promote the breakdown of any EHL film formed. Therefore the effect of the application of an electric field between rubbing surfaces is influenced by the lubrication condition that is being tested.     

Refined simulation of friction power loss in crank shaft slider bearings considering wear in the mixed lubrication regime

Friction reduction is a fundamental factor in decreasing fuel consumption of internal combustion engines. During the design stage of the engine the simulation of friction in the crank mechanism plays a vital role to develop optimum solutions. Due to the interaction of oil and elastic structures with rough surfaces in slider bearings, complex simulation models have to be used for representing the relevant physical behavior. The following article is focused on crank shaft slider bearings of large engines.The article describes a procedure evaluated by measurements showing how to model wear profiles of slider bearings to reach a high quality friction forecast. A fundamental influencing factor of bearing friction is given by the mixed lubrication regime and it is considered in the simulation model as part of asperity contact friction and hydrodynamic friction. Further effects result from the compliance in radial and width directions of the bearing structure and the wear of the bearing surface. Furthermore, the specific operating conditions of the slider bearing such as load, temperature, shaft speed and oil characteristics are essential and have to be taken into account.The objective of this investigation is to propose the wear profile of the bearing surface for the simulation model to be treated iteratively, where simulation results for the amount of mixed lubrication are successively assessed. For this purpose an iterative procedure is introduced and validated by measurements on a slider bearing test rig.The applied simulation method is based on elastic multi-body systems; the lubrication film contact is calculated based on Reynolds differential equation via the pressure balance calculated iteratively in the time domain. The model accounting for the mixed lubrication regime is based on the theory of Greenwood and Tripp.     

MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的力学性能与摩擦特性

采用非平衡磁控溅射法在9Cr18轴承钢基底上制备了厚度约3μm的MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜,基于球形压头纳米压痕试验,采用连续刚度法对MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的力学性能进行研究,探究MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜力学性能随压痕深度的变化规律;根据压痕试验载荷-位移曲线,采用Hertz接触理论计算MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的弹性模量并与试验结果进行对比;利用CSM摩擦试验机对低速、低载下MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的摩擦特性进行研究;基于压痕试验提出了一种能够更准确计算钢球加载时MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜接触应力的方法,并计算了摩擦试验不同载荷下的接触应力。结果表明:MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的力学性能和摩擦特性都会受到表面形貌的影响;除表面初始压入阶段外,MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的弹性模量和接触刚度都随着压痕深度的增大而增大;滑动速度和载荷共同影响MoS2/Ti复合固体润滑膜的摩擦特性。     

弹性模量对水润滑轴承的性能影响

从材料的角度,研究弹性模量对水润滑塑料合金轴承的性能影响,包括轴承承载能力、水膜形状曲线、压力曲线和最小水膜厚度等。研究表明:在选择水润滑轴承材料时应根据其承载能力来确定轴承材料的弹性模量范围;在承载能力范围内,从弹性模量这个角度来说,应当尽可能选择弹性模量低并具有良好摩擦磨损性能的材料,因为选择较小弹性模量的材料有利于提高最小水膜厚度,从而改善水润滑轴承摩擦副的摩擦磨损性能。     

弹性材料表面织构对摩擦副润滑性能的影响

为了研究弹性材料表面微织构对摩擦副空化现象和润滑特性的影响,建立考虑空化效应的二维弹性织构计算模型,采用流固耦合方法计算润滑流场与材料变形之间的相互作用。对比刚性材料表面微织构,从弹性模量、滑动速度、微织构深度以及织构间距等方面分析弹性材料表面织构对摩擦副润滑性能的影响,通过实验验证模拟结果的准确性。结果表明：弹性织构摩擦副比刚性织构摩擦副摩擦因数更小,润滑性能更好;存在最优织构深度,使得弹性织构摩擦副的摩擦力最小且承载力最大;适当增大滑动速度以及织构间距可以提高弹性摩擦副的润滑性能;随着弹性模量的降低,弹性变形和油膜厚度增加,空化现象更为显著,摩擦副的润滑性能得到提升。     

Stress analysis of cushion form bearings for total hip replacements.

Cushion form bearings comprise a thin layer of low elastic modulus material on the articulating surface of the bearing, which can deform to help preserve a film of lubricant between the bearing surfaces and therefore reduce friction and wear. The long-term function of this type of bearing is dependent on the strength and durability of this compliant layer. Finite difference and finite element methods have been used to analyse the stress distribution in the compliant layer of cushion form bearing for artificial hip joints under physiological loading conditions. A good agreement between finite difference and finite element methods was found. Under normal loading, the highest value of the maximum shear stress was found to be at the interface between the compliant layer and the more rigid substrate close to the edge of the contact. The values of maximum shear stress in the centre of the contact close to the articulating surface were lower than in the equivalent Hertzian contact. A friction force acting at the surface had little effect on the stress distribution for coefficients of friction less than 0.05. However, for higher values of friction coefficient (larger than 0.2), corresponding to inadequate lubrication, the maximum shear stress increased by a factor of four and was found to be located at the surface. The analysis predicts that the mode of failure will be at the interface with the substrate under fluid film or mixed lubrication conditions and at the articulating surface when the bearing runs dry with higher levels of friction. Both failure modes have been observed experimentally under the conditions specified.     

Water Lubrication of Silicon Nitride in Sliding

Several studies have shown that the coefficient of friction of self-mated silicon nitride in water decreases from an initially high value to about 0.002 after a certain run-in period. Since the worn surfaces become extremely smooth, the low friction is attributed to the initiation of hydrodynamic lubrication by a thin water film at the interface. The possibility of mixed lubrication, i.e., hydrodynamic lubrication by water and boundary lubrication due to the presence of colloidal silica on the wearing surfaces, has also been proposed. The purpose of our study is to investigate the influence of load, speed, and surface roughness on the duration of the run-in period. The results confirmed that a low coefficient of friction is obtained following a run-in period when a wear scar of sufficient size is developed to reduce the contact stress. The run-in period, during which the coefficient of friction is fairly high, was shorter for smoother surfaces and at higher loads and speeds. The low friction behavior was found to be unstable and occasional high friction spikes were observed. The surfaces of the wear tracks and wear scars contained a series of striations parallel to the sliding direction and exhibiting plastic deformation, delamination and fracture. The striations that appeared to be associated with the high friction spikes, could form as a result surface film breakdown. Although these results are consistent with the proposed mechanisms of hydrodynamic lubrication or mixed lubrication, it is proposed that the low friction behavior may be also related to fundamental interactions between two hard and elastically deforming surfaces covered with hydrogen-terminated oxide films.     

水润滑复合橡胶轴承的摩擦学特性试验研究

以自来水为润滑介质 ,用 MPV- 2 0 0型摩擦磨损试验机分别研究了载荷、速度、运行时间等对 30 mm× 5 0mm复合橡胶轴承的摩擦系数和磨损率的影响 ,结果表明 :在较高载荷和较低转速下 ,形成了水膜动压润滑 ,轴承的摩擦系数和磨损率都较低。对作用机理进行了系统的分析 ,为水润滑橡胶轴承的实际应用提供理论依据     

Design considerations for cushion form bearings in artificial hip joints.

Lubrication mechanisms and contact mechanics have been analysed in a new generation of 'cushion form' bearings for artificial hip joints, which comprise low elastic modulus layers on the articulating surfaces. Comparisons have been made with 'hard' bearings used in existing prostheses and also with the natural hip joint. Lubricating film thicknesses are enhanced by larger contact areas and lower contact pressures. For a fixed contact area, simultaneous changes in layer thickness and radial clearance have been shown to have a small effect on elastohydrodynamic film thickness. Hard bearings designed with the same contact area as the cushion bearings produced a similar film thickness, but lubricant film thickness is not optimized in current designs. The main advantage of using a cushion bearing with low elastic modulus layers was found to be associated with microelastohydrodynamic lubrication. Careful selection of the elastic modulus is important in order to ensure that this lubrication regime was effective. Low elastic modulus layers may also produce local deformations, which enhance squeeze film action. The elastic modulus of the material should not be lower than necessary to produce effective microelastohydrodynamic lubrication, as a further reduction in modulus only increases the strain distribution in the material. A lubricant film thickness of 0.3 microns has been predicted for a cushion hip prosthesis with a femoral head diameter of 32 mm and radius of contact zone of 16 mm, using a 2 mm thick layer with an elastic modulus of 20 MPa.     

Si3N4 as a biomaterial and its tribo‐characterization under water lubrication

Hip implant wear is recognised as the main cause of hip implant failure therefore has been widely investigated both experimentally and clinically, demonstrating the coexistence of abrasive, adhesive, fatigue and corrosive wear. Many clinical in vivo and bulk material wear rate data from published literature have been presented for non‐oxide ceramic implants. Several studies have shown that the coefficient of friction of self‐mated silicon nitride in water decreases from an initially high value to about 0.002 after a certain run‐in period. Since the worn surfaces become extremely smooth, the low friction is attributed to the initiation of hydrodynamic lubrication by a thin water film at the interface. The possibility of mixed lubrication, i.e. hydrodynamic lubrication by water and boundary lubrication due to the presence of colloidal silica on the wearing surfaces, has also been proposed. Influence of load, speed and surface roughness on the duration of the run‐in period of silicon nitride under water lubrication was investigated in this study. The results confirmed that a low coefficient of friction is obtained following a run‐in period when a wear scar of sufficient size is developed to reduce the contact stress. The run‐in period, during which the coefficient of friction is fairly high, is shorter for smoother surfaces and at higher loads and speeds. The striations that appeared to be associated with the high‐friction spikes can be formed as a result of surface film breakdown. Although the results are consistent with the proposed mechanisms of hydrodynamic lubrication or mixed lubrication, it is proposed that the low‐friction behaviour may also be related to fundamental interactions between two hard and elastically deforming surfaces covered with hydrogen‐terminated oxide films. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Pattern abrasion of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: Microstructure reconstruction of worn surface

The friction and wear behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) sliding against bearing steel (AISI 52100) in a ring-on-block contact mode under the lubrication of aqueous solution of 3.5% NaCl was evaluated. The worn polymer surfaces were analyzed by means of three dimensional profiling, atomic force microscopy, Polarized Raman microanalysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and nanoindentation testing. It was found that unusual wavelike abrasion patterns were formed on the worn surface of UHMWPE under properly selected sliding conditions. In the presence of plowing effect, the molecular chains of UHMWPE and short-rod like microcrystalline grains of abrasion pattern were both further oriented along the plowing direction and became tiny and dense owing to microstructure reconstruction. Resultant microstructurally reconstructed worn surface of UHMWPE had a higher nanoindentation hardness and modulus as well as increased wear resistance.     

Influence of ionic strength on the tribological properties of pre-adsorbed salivary films

We have studied tribological properties of pre-adsorbed salivary films formed in vitro on compliant hydrophobic surfaces. The adsorbed salivary film significantly decreases boundary friction under physiological ionic strength, which is related to a hydrophilic character of the adsorbed film and its structure. Decrease in the ionic strength below physiological conditions affects film’s structure, but it does not significantly affect boundary lubrication at low loads. Applications of high loads led to a gradual loss of lubrication due to shear-induced wear of the films. The wear became more extensive as the ionic strength of the solvent was lowered below physiological conditions.     

Tribological properties of plasma nitrided stainless steel against SAE52100 steel under ionic liquid lubrication condition

1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel was modified by plasma nitriding. The phase composition of the plasma nitrided layer was examined by means of X-ray diffraction. The friction and wear properties of the modified and unmodified 1Cr18Ni9Ti stainless steel specimens sliding against SAE52100 steel under the lubrication of ionic liquid of 1-ethyl-3-hexylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate (L-P308) and poly α-olefin (PAO) were investigated on an Optimol SRV oscillating friction and wear tester, with the interactions among the modified surface layer and the ionic liquids and PAO to be focused on. The morphologies of the worn surfaces were observed using a scanning electron microscope. The chemical states of several typical elements on the worn surfaces of the modified steel surfaces were examined by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Results showed that the modified sample had better anti-wear abilities than the unmodified one, but the modified sample had a slightly higher friction coefficient than the untreated one. This was partly attributed to the change in the hardness and phase composition of the stainless steel surfaces after plasma nitriding and tribochemical reactions between the steel and the lubricant. The resultant surface protective films composed of various tribochemical products together with the adsorbed boundary lubricating film contributed to reduce the friction and wear.     

表面粗糙度对配流副润滑特性的影响

为研究表面粗糙度对轴向液压柱塞泵马达配流副润滑特性的影响,引入Weierstrass-Mandelbort分形函数,对不同幅值的表面粗糙度的表面形貌进行二维和三维模拟,建立考虑表面粗糙度的流固热耦合下的配流副油膜润滑模型,采用中差分形式的有限差分法和松弛迭代法对其进行数值求解,并分析油膜厚度、油膜压力、油膜承载力、摩擦因数等性能参数随着表面粗糙度幅值变化的规律。通过盘-盘形式的配流盘-缸体摩擦磨损试验,得到不同幅值的表面粗糙度下配流副摩擦因数,对所建立的数学模型进行验证。数值计算结果表明,表面粗糙度幅值的增大会引起油膜承载力增大,但也会引起最大油膜压力和摩擦因数的增大,导致摩擦性能下降。摩擦磨损试验发现,表面粗糙度增大,配流盘表面摩擦磨损情况加剧,配流副润滑性能和耐磨性能整体降低。因此在配流盘表面加工处理中,应适当降低其表面粗糙度。     

纳米磷酸盐薄膜的表面摩擦磨损性能研究

研究了轴承钢表面的纳米磷酸盐薄膜对轴承钢表面摩擦性能的影响。采用PHI595SAM型俄歇能谱仪对GCr15轴承钢试样表面纳米磷酸盐薄膜进行了分析和厚度测量。通过四球试验机和铁姆肯摩擦磨损试验机对表面覆盖磷酸盐薄膜的试样与普通试样进行了摩擦磨损对比试验。结果表明:表面覆盖20 nm厚磷酸盐薄膜的试样,具有良好的减摩抗磨效果。同时也对其高速轴承润滑系统的影响进行了讨论,发现纳米磷酸盐薄膜可以有效地改善高速轴承的润滑状态,延长轴承的使用寿命。     

The Influence of DLC Coating on EHL Friction Coefficient

High hardness, high elastic modulus, low friction characteristics, high wear and corrosion resistance, chemical inertness, and thermal stability are factors that make diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings the subject of many studies. For the same reasons they also seem suitable for use in, amongst others, machine components and cutting tools. While most studies in the literature focus on the influence of coatings on wear and friction in boundary lubrication and pure sliding contacts, few studies can be found concerning rolling and sliding elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) friction, especially in the mixed and full film regime. In this article tests are carried out in a Wedeven Associates Machine tribotester where an uncoated ball and disc pair is compared to the case of coated ball against uncoated disc, coated disc against uncoated ball, and coated disc against coated ball. The tests are conducted at two different temperatures and over a broad range of slide-to-roll ratios and entrainment speeds. The results are presented as friction maps as introduced in previous work (Bj?rling et al. in J Eng Tribol 225(7):671, 2011). Furthermore a numerical simulation model is developed to investigate if there is a possibility that the hard, thin DLC coating is affecting the friction coefficient in an EHL contact due to thermal effects caused by the different thermal properties of the coating compared to the substrate. The experimental results show a reduction in friction coefficient in the full film regime when DLC-coated surfaces are used. The biggest reduction is found when both surfaces are coated, followed by the case when either ball or disc is coated. The thermal simulation model shows a substantial increase of the lubricant film temperature compared to uncoated surfaces when both surfaces are coated with DLC. The reduction in friction coefficient when coating either only the ball or the disc are almost the same, lower than when coating both the surfaces but still higher than the uncoated case. The findings above indicate that it is reasonable to conclude that thermal effects are a likely cause for the decrease in coefficient of friction when operating under full film conditions, and in the mixed lubrication regime when DLC-coated surfaces are used.     

轴瓦的力学性能对水润滑塑料轴承润滑性能的影响

在线接触热弹流润滑的基础上,对水润滑塑料轴承的热弹流模型进行计算,研究轴瓦的力学性能对水润滑塑料轴承润滑性能的影响,分析不同弹性模量下的压力、膜厚、最高温升曲线和温度分布。结果表明:在载荷等满足要求时,应选择弹性模量小的材料;载荷很大时,应选择弹性模量大的材料;弹性模量很大的材料,材料改性重点是增加自润滑性能和增加热传导系数。     

不同载荷下水润滑高分子材料磨损机制的试验研究

为了研究载荷对新型水润滑高分子轴承材料磨损机制的影响,在CFT-1型摩擦磨损试验机上对该材料进行不同载荷下的无/有水润滑摩擦磨损试验,通过考察试样的摩擦因数、磨痕和磨损表面形貌,分析该材料的磨损机制。结果表明:在无水润滑条件下,该材料的摩擦因数随着载荷的增加呈现先降低后逐渐上升的变化趋势,磨损表面均出现塑性变形和撕裂脱落现象,磨损机制主要为黏着磨损,其中随着载荷的增大表面塑性变形趋于严重,而表面撕裂脱落在中等载荷下较为轻微,在低载荷和高载荷下较为严重;在水润滑条件下,该材料的摩擦因数随着载荷的增加也呈现出先下降低后急剧上升的趋势,磨损表面未发生塑性变形和撕裂脱落,但出现脱落的磨粒和犁沟,磨损机制主要为磨粒磨损,其中在中等载荷下,表面脱落的磨粒少、犁沟细小而浅,在低载荷和高载荷下表面脱落的磨粒多、犁沟深。