Tribological characterisation of Zr-based bulk metallic glass in simulated physiological media |
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| Authors: | Q Chen KC Chan L Liu |
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| Institution: | 1. Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Centre, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong, China hustcq@gmail.com;3. Advanced Manufacturing Technology Research Centre, Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University , Hong Kong, China;4. State Key Lab for Materials Processing and Die &5. Mould Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , 430074 Wuhan, China |
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| Abstract: | Due to their excellent wear resistant properties and high strength, as well as a low Young's modulus, Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are potentially suitable biomaterials for low-friction arthroplasty. The wear characteristics of the Zr60.14Cu22.31Fe4.85Al9.7Ag3 bulk amorphous alloy against ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) compared to a CoCrMo/UHMWPE combination were investigated in two different wear screening test devices, reciprocating and unidirectional. Hank's solution and sterile calf bovine serum were selected as the lubricant fluid media. It was found that different fluid media had insignificant effect on polyethylene wear against BMG counterfaces. The wear behaviour obtained on both test devices demonstrated that Zr-based BMG achieved UHMWPE counterface wear rates superior to conventional cast CoCrMo alloy, where the wear rate of UHMWPE is decreased by over 20 times. The tribological performance of these joints is superior to that of conventional metal-on-polymer designs. Contact angle measurements suggested that the advantage of BMG over a CoCrMo alloy counterface is attributed to its highly hydrophilic surfaces. |
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| Keywords: | metallic glass biomaterial friction tribology wear |
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