title: Influence of the clearance on in-vitro tribology of large diameter metal-on-metal articulations pertaining to resurfacing hip implants.
abstract: Large-diameter metal-on-metal articulations may provide an opportunity for wear reduction in total hip implants because earlier studies have shown that the formation of a fluid film that completely separates the bearing surfaces is theoretically possible. In such a lubrication mode and under ideal conditions, there is theoretically no amount of wear. Studies have suggested that the two primary parameters controlling the lubrication mode are the diameter and the clearance of the articulation. The goal of the present study was to experimentally investigate the influence of these two parameters on the wear behavior of large-diameter metal-on-metal articulations pertaining to resurfacing hip implants. The results of this in vitro investigation showed that longer running-in periods and higher amounts of running-in wear were associated with larger clearances.
authors.affiliation: Tribology-113 955, Zimmer Europe GmbH, Sulzer Allee 8, CH 8404 Winterthur, Switzerland. claude.rieker@zimmer.com
authors.forename: Claude B
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rieker
authors.forename: Rolf
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schön
authors.forename: Reto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Konrad
authors.forename: Gernot
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liebentritt
authors.forename: Patric
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gnepf
authors.forename: Ming
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roberts
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Grigoris
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019245:Compressive Strength; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D004869:Equipment Safety; D006622:Hip Prosthesis; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007593:Joint Instability / Q000517:prevention & control; D008422:Materials Testing; D008670:Metals; D011095:Polyethylenes; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D008670:Metals; D011095:Polyethylenes