Changes in the contact area during the bedding-in wear of different sizes of metal on metal hip prostheses.
In metal on metal hip prostheses, the contact mechanics can influence the lubrication and wear rate. In particular, during the bedding-in wear, the contact area gradually increases to an optimal value, and the wear rate reduces as the contact stress reduces and the lubrication conditions improve. Geometrical designs that reduce the volume of bedding-in wear as the optimal contact area develops are preferable. The objective of this study was to analyse the wear volume as a function of contact area during the bedding-in period, with the aim of identifying geometrical design configurations that give lower bedding-in wear. As the radial clearance was reduced, the bedding-in wear volume to reach an optimal contact area also reduced. For a fixed radial clearance, increasing the head diameter also reduced the bedding-in wear volume.
Hu
X Q
XQ
Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
Isaac
G H
GH
Fisher
J
J
D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D017276:Friction; D006621:Hip Joint / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D008670:Metals / Q000737:chemistry*; D008954:Models, Biological; D011312:Pressure; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
D008670:Metals