Publication detail

Tribological Behaviour of Ti6Al4V Alloy: An Application in Small Joint Implants

ODEHNAL, L. RANUŠA, M. VRBKA, M. KŘUPKA, I. HARTL, M.

English title

Tribological Behaviour of Ti6Al4V Alloy: An Application in Small Joint Implants

Type

journal article in Web of Science

Language

en

Original abstract

The presented study deals with the analysis of the tribological behaviour of the Ti6Al4V alloy manufactured conventionally. The study aimed to verify whether the titanium alloy is suitable for use as a contact material in small joint implants, as additive manufacturing of this alloy can in the future provide certain benefits, such as individualization and simplification of the implant construction, or controlled porosity. The tested pair consisted of a pin and a glass plate lubricated with model synovial fluid. The contact area was observed with colorimetric interferometry. Alongside film thickness, friction, and wear scars were measured. From the designed experimental conditions, the titanium alloy was not able to create a sufficiently thick lubrication film to overcome its surface roughness and damage to contact surfaces occurred. Friction was comparable for all the tested configurations. The application of conventionally manufactured titanium alloy as a contact surface in small joint implants seems to not be suitable since its performance fell short when compared to conventional cobaltous alloy. Nevertheless, there are various alternative methods available, such as unconventional manufacturing, polishing, surface texturing, and coating.

English abstract

The presented study deals with the analysis of the tribological behaviour of the Ti6Al4V alloy manufactured conventionally. The study aimed to verify whether the titanium alloy is suitable for use as a contact material in small joint implants, as additive manufacturing of this alloy can in the future provide certain benefits, such as individualization and simplification of the implant construction, or controlled porosity. The tested pair consisted of a pin and a glass plate lubricated with model synovial fluid. The contact area was observed with colorimetric interferometry. Alongside film thickness, friction, and wear scars were measured. From the designed experimental conditions, the titanium alloy was not able to create a sufficiently thick lubrication film to overcome its surface roughness and damage to contact surfaces occurred. Friction was comparable for all the tested configurations. The application of conventionally manufactured titanium alloy as a contact surface in small joint implants seems to not be suitable since its performance fell short when compared to conventional cobaltous alloy. Nevertheless, there are various alternative methods available, such as unconventional manufacturing, polishing, surface texturing, and coating.

Keywords in English

First MTP joint replacement; Biocompatible materials; Pin-on-plate configuration; Lubrication film thickness

Released

08.11.2023

Publisher

SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS

Location

NEW YORK

ISSN

1023-8883

Volume

71

Number

4

Pages from–to

125–125

Pages count

15

BIBTEX


@article{BUT185568,
  author="Lukáš {Odehnal} and Matúš {Ranuša} and Martin {Vrbka} and Ivan {Křupka} and Martin {Hartl},
  title="Tribological Behaviour of Ti6Al4V Alloy: An Application in Small Joint Implants",
  year="2023",
  volume="71",
  number="4",
  month="November",
  pages="125--125",
  publisher="SPRINGER/PLENUM PUBLISHERS",
  address="NEW YORK",
  issn="1023-8883"
}