The wear properties of oxidized and non-oxidized gamma-TiAl (a potential biomaterial) as well as Ti-6Al-4V and CP-Ti disks were studied and characterized by means of standard wear tests using a custom made bone pin arrangement. The Ti-base disks were oxidized in air at 500°C and 800°C for one hour. The tribological properties of the oxides formed over the disks were studied using a linear reciprocating wear testing machine under both dry and simulated biological conditions using Ringer's solution. Loss of metal oxide and coefficient of friction values were determined from the wear testing. From the results, abrasion and adhesion were the primary wear mechanisms in each of the three alloybone pairs. Specifically, the oxide formed on gamma-TiAl possessed the highest COF and wear resistance of the three materials which were studied. Also, as expected, bone wears down faster than the Ti-base metal oxide.

Gamma titanium aluminide (gamma-TiAl) is a titanium alloy which contains no vanadium and appears to have potential for biomedical applications such as joint prostheses. The tribomechanical properties of Ti-48Al-2Cr-2Nb (at. %) (gammaTiAl) subjected to oxidation in air at 500°C and 800°C were determined by standard wear tests using a hardened stainless steel (SS) pin in a linearly reciprocating mode under both dry and lubricated (Ringer's solution) media. Similar properties for CP-Ti and Ti-6Al-4V were measured for comparison. The lowest mean mass loss was obtained for oxidized gamma-TiAl alloy indicating excellent wear resistance. The dominant wear mechanism on all the Ti alloy samples was abrasion. The oxidation temperature had a minimal effect on the wear of gamma-TiAl but was significant for the other two alloys.