Tribological characterisation of Zr-based bulk metallic glass in simulated physiological media

Abstract

Due to their excellent wear resistant properties and high strength, as well as a low Young's modulus, Zr-based bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) are potentially suitable biomaterials for low-friction arthroplasty. The wear characteristics of the Zr 60.14 Cu 22.31 Fe 4.85 Al 9.7 Ag 3 bulk amorphous alloy against ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) compared to a CoCrMo/UHMWPE combination were investigated in two different wear screening test devices, reciprocating and unidirectional. Hank's solution and sterile calf bovine serum were selected as the lubricant fluid media. It was found that different fluid media had insignificant effect on polyethylene wear against BMG counterfaces. The wear behaviour obtained on both test devices demonstrated that Zr-based BMG achieved UHMWPE counterface wear rates superior to conventional cast CoCrMo alloy, where the wear rate of UHMWPE is decreased by over 20 times. The tribological performance of these joints is superior to that of conventional metal-on-polymer designs. Contact angle measurements suggested that the advantage of BMG over a CoCrMo alloy counterface is attributed to its highly hydrophilic surfaces.

Production, Mechanical Properties and Biomedical Characterization of ZrTi-Based Bulk Metallic Glasses in Comparison with 316L Stainless Steel and Ti6Al4V Alloy

“…The disordered internal structure of BMGs results in significant changes in physical properties, such as high hardness and strength [ 15 , 24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 ], low elastic modulus [ 15 , 31 , 32 ], low macroscopic range of plastic deformations [ 33 , 34 ], and a high range of elastic deformations exceeding 2% [ 22 , 26 , 27 ], which subsequently leads to an increase in the elastic to total deformation energy ratio. From the point of view of potential application, the mechanical parameters of the metallic glasses mentioned above result in high resistance to scratching and abrasive wear [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 ].…”

Corrosive wear of multi-layer Fe-based coatings laser cladded from amorphous powders

“…Our former work not only proved that the Zr-based amorphous alloy has better tribocorrosion resistance than that of AISI 304 stainless steel (SS), but also showed the amorphous alloy is beneficial to reduce the wear of the counterface (bearing steel disk) [16]. Similarly, because of the highly hydrophilic surfaces in sterile calf bovine serum and Hank's solution, Zr-based amorphous alloy decreased the wear rate of the counterface (ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene, UHMWPE) over 20 times lower than that caused by conventional cast CoCrMo alloy [17]. Unfortunately, there are still some challenges in the application of amorphous alloys in tribocorrosion.…”

Tribological properties of Zr41.25Ti13.75Ni10Cu12.5Be22.5 bulk metallic glasses under different conditions

“…Although some tribological behaviors of BMGs have been investigated in recent years, available literature mainly focuses on their wear and friction characteristics under dry [1,[10][11][12] and lubricated conditions [13]. Typically, Tao et al [1] studied the surface friction and wear behaviors of Zr-based BMGs under different rotational sliding-velocities at room temperature.…”