Tribological characterization of Si3N4-bioglass biocomposites in self-mating experiments and dissimilar tests against UHMWPE

authors	Abreu, C; Amara, M; Oliveira, FJ; Santos, JD; Silva, RF; Gomes, JR
editors	Vieira, T
nationality	International
journal	ADVANCED MATERIALS FORUM I
author keywords	bioceramics; bioglasses; friction; silicon nitride; wear
keywords	WEAR; POLYETHYLENE; FRICTION; BEHAVIOR
abstract	The tribological behaviour of a new bioceramic material, a Si3N4-bioglass composite, is investigated. The experiments were performed in a pin-on-disc tribometer with constant sliding speed (0.1 ms(-1)) at two distinct loads (0.5N and 5N), in dry and wet (Hank's balanced salt solution, HBSS) conditions. In self-mated dry experiments, the 20wt% bioglass composite presents the lowest wear coefficient (K=3.7x10(-6)mm(3)N(-1)m(-1)) due to its. better intrinsic mechanical characteristics. Fine scale abrasion at low loads and extensive fracture at high loads were the main wear mechanisms. For lubricated experiments in HBSS media, both the wear and the friction coefficients decrease comparing to the dry sliding tests, namely under an applied load of 5N, that promotes the retention of a protective tribolayer. The best tribological system was the dissimilar pair Si3N4-20wt.% bioglass/UHMWPE, for which K=1.2x10(-6)mm(3)N(-1)m(-1) and K=7.1x10(-7)mm(3)N(-1)m(-1) in respectively, and f=0.1, exhibiting a considerable potential for prosthetic applications.
publisher	TRANS TECH PUBLICATIONS LTD
issn	1013-9826
isbn	0-87849-905-9
year published	2002
volume	230-2
beginning page	455
ending page	458
web of science category	Materials Science, Ceramics; Materials Science, Composites
subject category	Materials Science
unique article identifier	WOS:000179553200104