In order to improve the biocompatibility of carbon/carbon(C/C) composites used for hip prosthesis, pyrolytic carbon coating was prepared on their surface by chemical vapor deposition. The microstructures of the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the biomedical response was assessed by the morphology and proliferation of MG63 osteoblast-like cells. The results show that the texture on the surface of C/C composites changes from chaotic structure to uniform state after the pyrolytic carbon coating is prepared. Osteoblasts cultured on pyrolytic carbon coating present flat shape with thin thickness, and display better proliferation in comparison with those on the uncoated C/C composites surface.

In order to investigate the biotribology behavior of a novel artificial joint pair composed of a carbon/carbon composite femoral head and an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) acetabular cup, a hip joint simulator was employed to predict the clinical wear behavior with a constant load and a lubricant of newborn calf serum. The worn surface and the wear particles generated were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy and laser particle size analyzer. The results showed that the worn surface of UHMWPE had a ripple-like morphology with plentiful furrows. The wear particles generated had various morphologies with a size concentrated at about 15 μm.