COMPARISON OF THE FRICTION PROPERTIES OF 4 CERAMIC MATERIALS FOR JOINT REPLACEMENTS

As the loosening of a hip joint is caused by the tissue response to po lyethylene wear particles, ceramic-ceramic joints are needed for long- term or permanent replacements. We have compared the start up and stea dy state friction of four ceramic materials against themselves lubrica ted with 1 wt.% water solution of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium salt (CMC-Na 1 wt.% water solution). The experimental results indicate that the coefficients of start up and steady state friction of silicon nit ride-on-silicon nitride are the highest of the four ceramic materials, and the coefficients of start up and steady state friction of silicon carbide-on-silicon carbide are the lowest of the four ceramic materia ls (except at the low load of 40 N under the test conditions). (C) 199 7 Elsevier Science S.A.