DEVICE FOR IN VITRO WEAR ANALYSIS OF BIOMATERIALS IN THE HINGED PROSTHESIS CONFIGURATION

Abstract

We have developed a device that, coupled to the tribometer, allows movement simulation of the hinged type knee prosthesis. Two tests were performed using the samples designed and one test without the device using a pin-on-flat configuration. For the first and the third tests, the metallic samples were used as machined while for the second one they were electrolytically polished. The test parameters were running length of 0.663 rad and compression load of 22.35 N. The Hertzian contact stress of 15.93 MPa obtained between the samples designed is close to that for the real prosthesis. The measured volumetric wear revealed the influence of roughness of the counterpart surface on the wear behavior. The device has allowed its coupling to the tribometer without any interference on its functioning thus making a contribution to the scientific investigations related to wear behavior of a couple of different biomaterials.