Tribotechnical Characteristics of Ti6Al4V Titanium Alloy-Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene Friction Pairs

Tribotechnical characteristics of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy-ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) under high loads have been investigated depending on friction conditions. Friction pairs consisting of blocks made of polyethylene with constant machined surface parameters used as the samples and rollers made of titanium alloy having different surface roughness used as the rollers have been studied under dry processing or under processing with emulsion under cooling. Distilled water and counter-bodies Simulated Body Fluid (SBF)) have been used as lubricants. Based on the results of the measurement performed for momentary friction coefficients, friction temperature, and wear rate, as well as on the analysis of worn surface topography for blocks and rollers, it has been found that the best tribotechnical characteristics can be achieved using rollers with a high surface roughness and SBF as the lubricant.