Polymers as bearing materials for total hip replacement: A friction and wear analysis

✍ Scribed by Amstutz, Harlan C.

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1969
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 849 KB
• Volume: 3
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0021-9304
• DOI: 10.1002/jbm.820030402

✦ Synopsis

Certain thermoplastic polymers possess numerous desirable physical and mechanical properties important for total joint replacement. Their modulus of elasticity and density are close to the cartilage bone composite. Their elasticity would provide valuable damping for the transmission of shock forces. As a class of materials, polymers do not have the compression and tensile strength of metals, but the high strength-to-weight ratio of some polymers makes them especially attractive as a material for the socket half of the joint. The socket shape could be easily molded or machined and a t a low cost. As a prime requisite they must have sufficient wear and creep resistance for a lifetime of cyclic loading and sliding. I n addition they must be biologically tolerated, and the joint environment must not degrade or otherwise adversely affect the physical and mechanical properties of the polymer.

The purpose of this paper is to present a friction and wear analysis of ten thermoplastic polymers selected because their individual physical and mechanical properties suggested good wear and creep resistance. Polyimides with and without graphite have particular potential as a bearing material. The toxicological aspects of these materials are under study and will be the subject of a subsequent report.