Fretting corrosion of Si₃N₄ vs CoCrMo femoral heads on Ti‐6Al‐V trunnions

Abstract

Fretting corrosion at the head‐neck taper junction was compared between silicon nitride (Si3N4) and commercially available cobalt chrome (CoCrMo) femoral heads on titanium (Ti‐6Al‐4V) trunnions. An electrochemical setup was used to capture the fretting currents (characterized by oxide abrasion and repassivation) during cyclic loading. Onset load, pull‐off force (disassembly load), short term and long term (1 million cycles) fretting currents were used to compare the fretting corrosion performance between the test group (Si3N4/Ti‐6Al‐4V) and the control group (CoCrMo/Ti‐6Al‐4V). Incremental cyclic fretting corrosion tests showed that the Si3N4/Ti‐6Al‐4V combination had statistically lower (P < .05) average fretting current of 0.189 µA (SD = 0.114 µA) compared to 0.685 µA (SD = 0.630 µA) for CoCrMo/Ti‐6Al‐4V for cyclic load of 3200 N. Similarly, for the one million cycle fretting corrosion tests, the Si3N4/Ti‐6Al‐4V couples had statistically lower (P < .05) average current (0.048 µA, SD = 0.025 µA) vs CoCrMo/Ti‐6Al‐4V couples (0.366 µA, SD = 0.143 µA). The Si3N4 heads also had higher onset loads (P < .05) for fretting (vs CoCrMo, 2200 N vs 1740 N) indicating a difference in surface contact mechanics between the two groups. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy confirmed material transfer from the trunnions to the heads for both groups tested, and from head to trunnion for the CoCrMo heads. Minimal Si3N4 transfer was noted. The electrochemical, mechanical, and microscopic inspection data supported the hypothesis that Si3N4/Ti‐6Al‐4Vcombination had better fretting corrosion performance compared to CoCrMo/Ti‐6Al‐4V.

Fretting and Fretting Corrosion Behavior of Additively Manufactured Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-Nb-Zr Alloys in Air and Physiological Solutions

“…First, despite comparatively decreased wear and fretting corrosion properties for the pre-alloyed Ti-29Nb-21Zr, it is unclear what impacts these would have in vivo, given the current applications for AM titanium alloys. The poor wear resistance of titanium and its alloys is well documented in the literature, and CoCrMo and ceramics like BIOLOX delta are favored for bearing surfaces like femoral heads in total hip replacement devices and femoral condyles in total knee replacement systems [53,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72][73]. In other words, worse wear performance than Ti-6Al-4V does not preclude using AM Ti-29Nb-21Zr as an orthopedic alloy, given that other biomaterials are selected when wear is a major factor.…”

Microstructure and Properties of Electroless Ni-P/Si3N4 Nanocomposite Coatings Deposited on the AW-7075 Aluminum Alloy

“…Cao et al [ 26 ] noticed that relatively porous Si 3 N4 ceramics with special three-dimensional cage structures have a high mechanical strength, good antioxidation properties and excellent dielectric properties. According to Khullar et al [ 27 ], the electrochemical, mechanical and microscopic inspection data supported the hypothesis that the Si 3 N 4 /Ti-6Al-4Vcombination had a better fretting corrosion performance compared to CoCrMo/Ti-6Al-4V. Zhanga et al [ 28 ] compared the the friction coefficient of the Si 3 N 4 /stainless and Si 3 N 4 /PEEK sliding pair with an increasing load of 10 N to 30 N. For the first pair, the friction coefficient increased from 0.48 to 0.72, whereas for the second pair, it decreased from 0.27 to 0.07.…”

Influence of Dispersed Phase Content on the Mechanical Properties of Electroless Nanocomposite Ni-P/Si3N4 and Hybrid Ni-P/Si3N4/Graphite Layers Deposited on the AW-7075 Alloy

“…The materials in the form of e.g., Si 3 N 4 or SiC are currently used as, e.g., antiwear coatings for single and multilayer cutting blades. Apart from that they are the subjects of research in the field of material and surface engineering in order to find new applications for materials used in machine construction [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. Other examples are the use of additives in the form of graphite particles or nanocomposites to increase the lubricity and durability of oils [ 27 , 28 ].…”