A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF ALUMINA AND SS 316L FRICTIONAL CONTACT AGAINST UHMWPE ON THE CHANGE IN THE SOFTER BEARING SURFACE MORPHOLOGIES

Alumina, with excellent physical, mechanical, and tribological properties, is considered an ideal material to be applied in various fields, including the health sector. This study investigates the effect of sliding Alumina composite and SS 316L on Ultra-High Molecular Weight (UHMWPE) surfaces. We conducted the wear testing on a
tribometer device in dry conditions with a constant load of 10 N. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the laser probe embedded optical microscopy (Keyence) were used to characterise the morphology of samples before and after the test and to investigate the amount of material lost at the end of the experiment. The lost volume and wear rate on the UHMWPE surface due to sliding friction with Alumina is essential to measure the performance of Alumina as total
hip-joint arthroplasty (THA) bearing component material against its counterfaces. Wear volume loss and wear rate on the UHMWPE due to sliding contact against 316L stainless steel (1.986 mg) was slightly higher than that caused by Alumina (1.948 mg). Furthermore, the surface interaction between UHMWPE and Alumina at the 30,000th cycle shows the surface profile of UHMWPE experiencing cracks, delamination and plastic deformation, and different groove patterns.
From this result, Alumina could have a better effect than 316L Stainless Steel on THA longevity.