Metal-on-Polymer Wear for Orthopaedic Hand Prostheses : Metall-på-polymer-slitage för ortopediska handproteser

Abstract: Metal-on-polymer prostheses in orthopaedics are often subject to high wear level producing large polyethylene particles that the body has difficulties to eliminate. Those debris can lead to prosthesis loosening. This study investigates the wear behaviour of TA6V, a CoCr alloy, M30NW and 316L stainless steels against UHMWPE on a pin-on-disc tribometer under lubricated conditions. Friction coefficient of 316L showed an inflection in their rise while the increase of others was linear. 316L also produced the most friction and wear. On the contrary, CoCr confirmed its good properties. Both stainless steels showed similar behaviour and metal manufacturing process only modified UHMWPE loss and not the wear rates.