Tribological and microstructural analysis of Al2O3/TiO2 nanocomposites to use in the femoral head of hip replacement

Total hip joint replacement is the major achievement in orthopedic surgery; zirconia and alumina have been widely used in the medical field due to their biocompatibility, excellent corrosion resistance, low friction, high wear resistance, high strength, and low cost. Fracture toughness of alumina is enhanced with dispersion of nanometer sized particles of TiO2, Al2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite. Therefore, this can be a good material for the femoral head of total hip joint replacement. This study simulation of human body behavior and movement of hip joint was carried out in a ball-on-disc tribometer, using silicon nitride balls and distilled water at 37 degreesC for 100 h. Al2O3/TiO2 nanocomposite disk were hot pressed at 1500 degreesC and 25 MPa, in an Ar atmosphere for 1 h. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.