BACKGROUND: Some loss of joint prostheses has been attributed to osteolytic loosening associated with debris from wear of polyethylene articulating against metal alloys. Reduced polyethylene wear has been reported with ceramics serving as an alternative counterface. METHODS: Nanostructured Diamond (NSD) coatings were deposited onto Ti6Al4V by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, with both hydrogen-rich (H-NSD) and helium-rich (He-NSD) feedgas mixtures. Pin-on-disk wear tests of polyethylene against NSD and CoCr were performed in serum lubrication at body temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine surface morphology, and nanoindentation was used to determine hardness and modulus of the polyethylene wear surfaces. Raman spectroscopy, surface roughness, and wettability analyses of the NSD coatings were performed. RESULTS: Raman spectroscopy confirmed sp(2) and sp(3) bonded carbon in the NSD coatings. No significant differences in wear factors were found between polyethylene on H-NSD, He-NSD, and CoCr, despite higher roughness and friction coefficients for the He-NSD and H-NSD coatings, compared with CoCr. Contact angles for the diamond coatings were reduced following the wear tests, indicating that these surfaces became more hydrophilic. Numerous small protuberances were observed on pins articulated against CoCr, and a single, large protuberance was observed in polyethylene-on-NSD. These features were conjectured to be reconsolidated polyethylene particles. Nanoindentation modulus and hardness of the worn polyethylene surfaces were lower for polyethylene-on-diamond than for polyethylene-on-CoCr. CONCLUSIONS: As a counterface to polyethylene, NSD-coated Ti6Al4V produced wear factors comparable to CoCr in the present pin-on-disk tests, a promising step towards its use in joint replacement bearing applications.
BACKGROUND: Some loss of joint prostheses has been attributed to osteolytic loosening associated with debris from wear of polyethylene articulating against metal alloys. Reduced polyethylene wear has been reported with ceramics serving as an alternative counterface. METHODS: Nanostructured Diamond (NSD) coatings were deposited onto Ti6Al4V by microwave plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition, with both hydrogen-rich (H-NSD) and helium-rich (He-NSD) feedgas mixtures. Pin-on-disk wear tests of polyethylene against NSD and CoCr were performed in serum lubrication at body temperature. Scanning electron microscopy was used to examine surface morphology, and nanoindentation was used to determine hardness and modulus of the polyethylene wear surfaces. Raman spectroscopy, surface roughness, and wettability analyses of the NSD coatings were performed. RESULTS: Raman spectroscopy confirmed sp(2) and sp(3) bonded carbon in the NSD coatings. No significant differences in wear factors were found between polyethylene on H-NSD, He-NSD, and CoCr, despite higher roughness and friction coefficients for the He-NSD and H-NSD coatings, compared with CoCr. Contact angles for the diamond coatings were reduced following the wear tests, indicating that these surfaces became more hydrophilic. Numerous small protuberances were observed on pins articulated against CoCr, and a single, large protuberance was observed in polyethylene-on-NSD. These features were conjectured to be reconsolidated polyethylene particles. Nanoindentation modulus and hardness of the worn polyethylene surfaces were lower for polyethylene-on-diamond than for polyethylene-on-CoCr. CONCLUSIONS: As a counterface to polyethylene, NSD-coated Ti6Al4V produced wear factors comparable to CoCr in the present pin-on-disk tests, a promising step towards its use in joint replacement bearing applications.
Authors: J L Tipper; E Ingham; J L Hailey; A A Besong; J Fisher; B M Wroblewski; M H Stone Journal: J Mater Sci Mater Med Date: 2000-02 Impact factor: 3.896
Authors: H A McKellop; P Campbell; S H Park; T P Schmalzried; P Grigoris; H C Amstutz; A Sarmiento Journal: Clin Orthop Relat Res Date: 1995-02 Impact factor: 4.176
Authors: William C Clem; Shafiul Chowdhury; Shane A Catledge; Jeffrey J Weimer; Faheem M Shaikh; Kristin M Hennessy; Valery V Konovalov; Michael R Hill; Alfred Waterfeld; Susan L Bellis; Yogesh K Vohra Journal: Biomaterials Date: 2008-05-19 Impact factor: 12.479