The Wear Effect of Ion Implantation and Die Drawing Processes on 316L and Ultra High Molecular Weigh Polyethylene.

Abstract

Total Knee Joint Replacement is a replacement of human knee joint prosthesis with artificial materials totally. Bio-materials used for TKR should have an ability to interact with human body cells without any harm. In TKR, the end parts of tibial and femoral are replaced with 316L material and an UHMWPE material in between. The aim of this research is to study the effect of ion implantation process 316L and die drawing on wear of these materials. 50x15x3mm 316l plate and 8mm diameter UHMWPE pin were used on this research, with ion implantation nitrogen based and draw drawing process on these materials respectively. A Uni-directional Reciprocating Pin on Plate Wear testing machine was used for this research. The wear test was carried out using various parameters such as: mating variation of 316L and UHMWPE with and without ion implantation and die drawing process. Phosphate Buffered Saline (PBS) was used in this wear test with sliding distance of 15km and 30km with pin force of 180N. The results of this wear test is wear factor and;  10,85x10-6, 11,84x10-6 and 54,77x10-6 mm3/N.m for 316L ion implantation - UHMWPE die drawn, 316L virgin - UHMWPE die drawn and 316L ion implantation - UHMWPE virgin respectively. For the last two mating materials resulted much lower wear factor than the third one, therefore they have a potential as replacement material for TKR.