Tantalum-based multilayer coating on cobalt alloys in total hip and knee replacement

Cobalt–chromium–molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloys are widely used in total hip and knee joint replacement, due to high mechanical properties and resistance to wear and corrosion. They are able to form efficient artificial joints by means of coupling metal-on-polymer or metal-on-metal contacts. However, a high concentration of stress and direct friction between surfaces leads to the formation of polyethylene wear debris and the release of toxic metal ions into the human body, limiting, as a consequence, the lifetime of implants.The aim of this research is a surface modification of CoCrMo alloys in order to improve their biocompatibility and to decrease the release of metal ions and polyethylene debris. Thermal treatment in molten salts was the process employed for the deposition of tantalum-enriched coating. Tantalum and its compounds are considered biocompatible materials with low ion release and high corrosion resistance.Three different CoCrMo alloys were processed as substrates. An adherent coating of about 1 μm of thickness, with a multilayer structure consisting of two tantalum carbides and metallic tantalum was deposited. The substrates and modified layers were characterized by means of structural, chemical and morphological analysis. Moreover nanoindentation, scratch and tribological tests were carried out in order to evaluate the mechanical behavior of the substrates and coating. The hardness of the coated samples increases more than double than the untreated alloys meanwhile the presence of the coating reduced the wear volume and rate of about one order of magnitude.     

Tribological performance of the biological components of synovial fluid in artificial joint implants

Abstract

The concentration of biological components of synovial fluid (such as albumin, globulin, hyaluronic acid, and lubricin) varies between healthy persons and osteoarthritis (OA) patients. The aim of the present study is to compare the effects of such variation on tribological performance in a simulated hip joint model. The study was carried out experimentally by utilizing a pin-on-disk simulator on ceramic-on-ceramic (CoC) and ceramic-on-polyethylene (CoP) hip joint implants. The experimental results show that both friction and wear of artificial joints fluctuate with the concentration level of biological components. Moreover, the performance also varies between material combinations. Wear debris sizes and shapes produced by ceramic and polyethylene were diverse. We conclude that the biological components of synovial fluid and their concentrations should be considered in order to select an artificial hip joint to best suit that patient.     

A new tribological approach on metal cup with optimized pits model using spark discharge machine

ABSTRACT

An interference friction causes tear and wear in metal-on-metal (MoM) hip joint. The purpose of this research is to examine the optimization of pit embedded in the acetabular cup using a spark discharge machine. Tribology tests on cup with 8, 21, and 40 pits embedded produced promising results. A modified pin-on-disk tribometer was used to measure the effects of the coefficient of friction and wear on a 28-mm-diameter acetabular cup. Microscopy image analysis was used to examine particle debris and surface disfigurement. This study revealed that the more pits were produced in the hemispherical or curvature cup, the more lubricant was confined inside the pits, and the easier the contact was for MoM. The results also show that the curvature surface modification with pits can positively influence friction and wear and stability optimization of MoM implants.     

Tribological investigation of diamond-like carbon coated micro-dimpled surface under bovine serum and osteoarthritis oriented synovial fluid

Osteoarthritis-oriented synovial fluid (OASF), i.e., that typical of a patient with osteoarthritis, has different physical and biological characteristics than bovine serum (BS), a lubricant widely used in biotribological investigations. Micro-dimpled and diamond-like carbon- (DLC) coated surfaces are key emerging interfaces for orthopedic implants. In this study, tribological performances of dimpled surfaces, with and without DLC coating, have been investigated under both BS and OASF. The friction tests were performed utilizing a pin on a disk tribometer, whereas contact pressure, speed, and temperature were simulated to a ‘medium walking gait’ of hip joint conditions. The mechanical properties of the specimen and the physical properties of the lubricant were characterized before the friction test. Raman analysis was conducted to identify the coating condition both before and after the test. The DLC-coated dimpled surface showed maximum hardness and residual stress. A DLC-coated dimpled surface under an OASF lubricated condition yielded a lower friction coefficient and wear compared to those of plain and dimpled specimens. The higher graphitization of coated materials with increasing load was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.     

Tribological investigation of diamond-like carbon coated micro-dimpled surface under bovine serum and osteoarthritis oriented synovial fluid

Abstract

Osteoarthritis-oriented synovial fluid (OASF), i.e., that typical of a patient with osteoarthritis, has different physical and biological characteristics than bovine serum (BS), a lubricant widely used in biotribological investigations. Micro-dimpled and diamond-like carbon- (DLC) coated surfaces are key emerging interfaces for orthopedic implants. In this study, tribological performances of dimpled surfaces, with and without DLC coating, have been investigated under both BS and OASF. The friction tests were performed utilizing a pin on a disk tribometer, whereas contact pressure, speed, and temperature were simulated to a ‘medium walking gait’ of hip joint conditions. The mechanical properties of the specimen and the physical properties of the lubricant were characterized before the friction test. Raman analysis was conducted to identify the coating condition both before and after the test. The DLC-coated dimpled surface showed maximum hardness and residual stress. A DLC-coated dimpled surface under an OASF lubricated condition yielded a lower friction coefficient and wear compared to those of plain and dimpled specimens. The higher graphitization of coated materials with increasing load was confirmed by Raman spectroscopy.     

Corrosion behaviour and mechanical properties of functionally gradient materials developed for possible hard-tissue applications

Artificial hip joints have an average lifetime of 10 years due to aseptic loosening of the femoral stem attributed to polymeric wear debris; however, there is a steadily increasing demand from younger osteoarthritis patients aged between 15 and 40 year for a longer lasting joint of 25 years or more. Compliant layers incorporated into the acetabular cup generate elastohydrodynamic lubrication conditions between the bearing surfaces, reduce joint friction coefficients and wear debris production and could increase the average life of total hip replacements, and other human load-bearing joint replacements, i.e. total knee replacements. Poor adhesion between a fully dense substrate and the compliant layer has so far prevented any further exploitation. This work investigated the possibility of producing porous metallic, functionally gradient type acetabular cups using powder metallurgy techniques – where a porous surface was supported by a denser core – into which the compliant layers could be incorporated. The corrosion behaviour and mechanical properties of three biomedically approved alloys containing two levels of total porosity (>30% and <10%) were established, resulting in Ti–6Al–4V being identified as the most promising biocompatible functionally graded material, not only for this application but for other hard-tissue implants.     

SURFACE MODIFICATION ISSUES FOR ORTHOPAEDIC IMPLANT BEARING SURFACES

In total joint replacement, generally a polished metal surface articulates against an ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) counter bearing surface. Metals used include 316L stainless steel, Co-Cr-Mo alloy, and Ti-6AI-4V alloy (particularly with a hardened N⁺ ion implanted surface). Minimizing friction and UHMWPE wear is of prime concern for long-term performance. Additionally, it is desirable to minimize metal ion release which results from constant removal and reformation of passive surface oxides and oxyhydroxides during articulation. Long term effects from the presence of potentially toxic or carcinogenic ions of Cr, Co, Mo, Ni, V, and Al are not well known. Inert ceramic bearing surfaces eliminate this issue and are also resistant to potential three-body wear from bone cement debris or potential stray porous metal coating material. However ceramic (Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂) materials are only available for total hip replacement. For total knee replacement, ft is too difficult and expensive to manufacture a monolithic ceramic knee surface, thus various surface coating methods are being investigated. These methods include plasma sprayed Al₂O₃ and ZrO₂, TiN and amorphous diamond like coatings via PVD/CVD methods, and in-sKu oxidation. In other cases, the existing metal surfaces are simply hardened using methods such as N⁺ ion implantation and oxygen or nitrogen diffusion hardening. This paper reviews the limitations of existing total joint systems and the effectiveness of various surface modification methods of orthopaedic implant bearing surfaces on friction, abrasion, UHMWPE wear, and metal ion release.     

Hüftgelenkersatz – eine tribologische und konstruktive Herausforderung

Artificial hip joints - a challange for ideasconcerning tribology and designing Artificial hip joints are successfully used since two decades. The artificial joint is set up out of a femoral ball head made of a cobalt chromium alloy or alumina ceramic. The ball head is mostly articulating against an acetabular cup made of polyethylene (UHMWPE). The polyethylene wear debris causes osteolysis. Because of the osteolysis the implants will loosen and a revision of the artificial hip joint has to be performed. The objective of all R & D projects is to minimize the polyethylene wear. The state-of-the-art is discussed. There are new materials and methods that offer oppertunities for new combinations. Possibilities, limitations and the successes are discussed. The clinical experience during the last two decades proved that femoral ball heads made of alumina ceramic could reduce the problems of osteolysis.     

Biotribological properties of UHMWPE grafted with AA under lubrication as artificial joint

Osteolysis caused by wear particles from polyethylene in the artificial hip joints is a serious issue. In order to endow the low friction and wear of the bearing surface of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) artificial joint for a longer term, hydrophilic acrylic acid (AA) was grafted on UHMWPE powders with the method of ultraviolet irradiation and then the modified powders were hot pressed. The tribological properties of modified UHMWPE sliding against CoCrMo metallic plate on reciprocating tribometer under calf serum, saline and distilled water lubrication during a long-term friction were investigated. The measurement of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicates that AA is successfully grafted on the surface of UHMWPE powders by photo-induced graft polymerization. Contact angles of UHMWPE are decreased from 83° to 35° by grafting and the surface wettability is effectively improved. The tensile strength of modified sample decreases. The friction coefficient and wear rate of UHMWPE-g-PAA under calf serum, saline and distilled water lubrication are lower than that of untreated UHMWPE. With the increase of grafting ratio, the wear rate of UHMWPE-g-PAA decreases firstly and then increases. The modified UHMWPE with grafting ratio of 3.5 % has the lowest wear rate, which is just quarter of the untreated UHMWPE. The hydrated PAA polymer brushes enclosed in the UHMWPE bulk material provide continuous lubrication during long term sliding.     

Influence of biological lubricant on the morphology of UHMWPE wear particles generated with microfabricated surface textures

Immunological response induced by wear particles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been recognized as the major factor causing the failure of total joint replacements. A previous study has applied surface texturing techniques to generate UHMWPE wear particles with specific size and shape to study the effects of particle size and shape on osteolysis.In the present study, the effects of biological lubricants on the morphology of UHMWPE wear particles generated with microfabricated surface textures were investigated. It was observed that UHMWPE wear particles generated in bovine serum are smaller and thinner than the particles generated in water. The reason may be due to the reduction of the friction between UHMWPE and the surface feature under serum lubricating condition. It means a smaller material resistant force to overcome during the surface-feature sliding process and leads to a smaller lateral displacement of a micro-cutting process. Thus a larger aspect ratio (or a smaller particle width) was observed for the particles generated in serum. Compared to original UHMWPE, highly cross-linked UHMWPE has better wear resistance and generates smaller wear particles under the articulation with microfabricated surface textures in a biological environment. The potential application is to apply surface textures on the articulating surface of joint implant in order to control the size and shape of UHMWPE wear particles. While maintaining a low wear rate of UHMWPE parts, further reduction of the most “toxic” particles released into human body shall prevent particles induced osteolysis.     

Effect of laser surface texturing on Si3N4/TiC ceramic sliding against steel under dry friction

In efforts to investigate the influence of the surface texturing on the Si₃N₄/TiC ceramic, laser surface texturing (LST) was performed on the Si₃N₄/TiC ceramic by an Nd:YAG laser and different geometrical characteristics of regular-arranged micro-grooved textures were fabricated on the surfaces. The tribological properties of the textured and smooth samples were investigated by carrying out sliding wear tests against steel balls under dry condition using a ball-on-disk tribometer. Effect of surface texturing on the stress distribution was studied by finite element method (FEM). Results show that the textured surfaces exhibited lower friction coefficient and excellent anti-wear properties compared with smooth surfaces. The tribological characteristics depended greatly on the size and density of the micro-grooves, and the geometrical characteristics of the surface textures have a significant effect on the tribological behavior. Among the patterns investigated, the wavy-grooved samples exhibit the lowest friction coefficient and wear rate; and a large texture density may be the best for reduction of friction and wear of textured samples. While, the wear rate of balls sliding against textured surfaces is larger than that of balls sliding against smooth surfaces. FEM results show that surface texturing can improve the stress distribution of contact interfaces and reduce stress concentration.     

空间飞轮轴承等离子体浸没离子注入氮层性能研究

研究了氮等离子体浸没离子注入(PIII)技术处理后空间飞轮轴承内圈的摩擦学性能。通过原子力显微镜分析改性前后试样表面形貌,利用X射线电子能谱分析试样表面成分及结构,通过显微硬度计测量改性前后及不同注入时间下试样表面硬度,考察改性前后试样摩擦系数变化情况。结果表明,空间飞轮轴承内圈进行表面注氮后,表面形成Cr-N化合物,形成第二相及固溶强化使得试样表面硬度显著增加,摩擦系数明显减小,耐磨性增加,轴承组件工作电流明显减小。     

粉末钛合金的表面强化技术

低硬度和低耐磨性限制了钛合金尤其是粉末钛合金的实际应用.表面强化技术是提高粉末铁合金表面性能的有效手段之一.综述了近年来为提高钛合金表面硬度和耐磨性而采用的典型的表面强化技术,如激光表面改性、激光熔覆涂层、微孤氧化、离子注入、双层辉光离子渗和高频感应处理等.讨论了每种工艺方法的特点及其所获得表面强化层的结构和性能.最近,乌克兰国家科学院提出氮环境下钛合全的淬水技术,为钛合金表面强化提出了一个新的发展方向.     

Study of adhesion of carbon nitride thin films on medical alloy substrates

The adhesion improvement of biocompatible thin films on medical metal alloy substrates commonly used for joint replacement implants is studied. Diamond-like carbon (DLC) and carbon nitride (CN) thin films are, because of their unique properties such as high hardness, wear resistance and low friction coefficient, candidates for coating of medical implants. However, poor adhesion on substrates with high thermal expansion coefficient limits their application. We deposited CN films by pulsed DC discharge vacuum sputtering of graphite target on CoCrMo and Ti6Al4V substrates. Surface nitridation of the substrate, changing the deposition parameters and use of interlayer led to improved adhesion properties of the films. Argon and nitrogen gas flow, thickness of the film and frequency of the deposition pulses had significant influence on the adhesion to the substrate. Properties of deposited films were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and tribology tests.     

Surface Modification of Biomaterials in Hard Tissue Applications

Surface modification technologies are quite common in the biomedical field to improve the mechanical,chemical, physical and biological properties of implants such as artificial joint and cardiovascular devices. In this paper, recent progress in the investigation of the bioactivity and biocompatibility enhancement of implants using plasma spraying and plasmabased ion implantation (PIII) is described. Plasma sprayed hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings are commonly used as bioactive coatings but the relatively poor adhesion between the coatings and titanium is one of main disadvantages which have limited their biomedical applications. In our recent studies, novel bioactive coatings, such as wollastonite and dicalcium silicate, were deposited onto titanium to enhance the surfaces bioactivity and biocompatibility. Our results indicate that plasma sprayed wollastonite and dicalcium silicate coatings possess excellent bioactivity as well as relatively high bonding strength. Plasma immersion ion implantation was also employed to improve the anti-corrosion and biological properties of implants.     

Beschichtung von Implantaten mit Hydroxylapatit: Die Option auf eine stoffschlüssige Verbindung zwischen Knochen und Metall

Implants Coated with Hydroxyaptit: The Option for Joining Metal to Hard Tissue Load bearing components for artificial joints are made of bioinert alloys. These implants can only be joint to bone by form closure or frictional connection. Coating bioinert implants with bioactive hydroxyaptite ceramics (HA) offers the option to have a biological interaction between the bone and the coated implant. This way tensile forces can be transfered to the implant. This papers reviews material properties and recommendations how to design plasma sprayed HA-coatings for total hip replacement. There is clinical proof that due to the enhanced interaction between the HA-coating and the implants an excellent bonding can be achieved, i. e. long-term osseointegration or biological/chemical interaction between inert anorganic materials and vital tissue. There are no technical problems coating implants with HA. Clinical results based on more than 10 years are available.     

Effect of ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser surface melting and texturing of Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy on surface properties

Ultrasonic vibration-assisted laser surface processing that involves application of vertical ultrasonic vibrations to the Ti-6 Al-4 V alloy substrates while being irradiated with a CO_2 laser was performed for the development of laser melted and textured surfaces with potential applications in biomedical implants.The laser processing resulted in very consistent repeating undulating grooved surfaces, and the undulations were significantly more pronounced in the samples processed with higher ultrasonic power outputs.The phase evolution, studied by x-ray diffraction, confirmed that the laser processing triggered transformation of globular α→ acicular α and martensitic α' as well as increased amounts of retained α phases,which were also reflected in the microscopic analysis. The surface texture developed by laser processing resulted in increased surface wettability with increasing ultrasonic power output. The textured surfaces exhibited marked decrease in coefficients of friction during sliding wear testing performed under simulated body fluid due to lubricant entrainment within the textured grooves. The texturing also resulted in significant reduction in surface contact area during the wear process, which considerably reduced the overall wear rates due to abrasive wear.     

C/SiC摩擦材料的制备及摩擦磨损性能

通过化学气相渗透法(CVI)结合反应熔体浸渗法(RMI)制备了低成本、高性能的C/SiC飞机摩擦材料, 并模拟飞机正常着陆条件进行了摩擦磨损实验. 实验结果表明: C/SiC是比C/C更优的飞机摩擦材料, 具有动、静摩擦系数高(分别为0.34、0.41), 湿态几乎无衰减(约2.9%), 磨损小(约1.9μm/次), 摩擦性能稳定等特点. 并采用金相显微镜、扫描电镜等对C/SiC摩擦材料的摩擦面以及磨屑形貌进行了观察, 并对其磨损机理进行了探索. 结果表明, 磨损机理以磨粒磨损为主, 同时由于垂直于摩擦面的纤维束增强了其层间抗剪切能力, 从而提高了其抗磨损性能.     

Nanostructured ceramics for biomedical implants

Recent progress in the synthesis, characterization, and biological compatibility of nanostructured ceramics for biomedical implants is reviewed. A major goal is to develop ceramic coating technology that can reduce the friction and wear in mating total joint replacement components, thus contributing to their significantly improved function and longer life span. Particular attention is focused on the enhancement of mechanical properties such as hardness, toughness, and friction coefficient and on the bioactivity as they pertain to the nanostructure of the material. The development of three nanostructured implant coatings is discussed: diamond, hydroxyapatite, and functionally graded metalloceramics based on the Cr-Ti-N ternary system. Nanostructured diamond produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) techniques and composed of nano-size diamond grains have particular promise because of the combination of ultrahigh hardness, improved toughness over conventional microcrystalline diamond, low friction, and good adhesion to titanium alloys. Nanostructured processing applied to hydroxyapatite coatings is used to achieve the desired mechanical characteristics and enhanced surface reactivity and has been found to increase osteoblast adhesion, proliferation, and mineralization. Finally, nanostructured metalloceramic coatings provide continuous variation from a nanocrystalline metallic bond at the interface to the hard ceramic bond on the surface and have the ability to overcome adhesion problems associated with ceramic hard coatings on metallic substrates.     

Wear behaviour at 600°C of surface engineered low-alloy steel containing TiC particles

The work aimed to develop surfaces that could resist wear at high temperatures, thus achieving a prolonged component life. Surface modification of a low-alloy steel by incorporating TiC particles has been undertaken by melting the surface using a tungsten inert gas torch. The dry sliding wear behaviour at 600°C of the original and modified surfaces was compared. Microscopic examination of both surfaces showed glazed layers across the wear tracks, with differing amounts of oxide and homogeneity. Extensive wear occurred on the steel surface, which showed deformation of the wear scar tracks and a steadily increased friction coefficient. The TiC addition reduced the wear loss, coinciding with a glazed layer 33% thinner than that on the low-alloy steel sample.