Comparison of the bio-tribological properties of UHMWPE-Chirulen® and PEEK-OPTIMA® articulating against ceramics: Implications for orthopedic implants

The bio-tribological properties of some famous brand orthopedic implant materials were systematically explored and compared. Four polymer discs (UHMWPE-Chirulen (R) 1020 XPE, UHMWPE-Chirulen (R) 1020E XPE, PEEK-OPTIMA (R) Natural, and PEEK-OPTIMA (R) Wear Performance) were articulated against two types of ceramic balls (Al2O3 and Si3N4) under lubrication by water, calf serum, and 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycoro-3-phosphocholine (DPPC). Under DPPC lubrication, the wear rate of PEEK was one order of magnitude lower than that of UHMWPE. When the load and frequency were 5 N and 0.0625 Hz, respectively, the friction coefficient of Si3N4/Chirulen (R) 1020 XPE was only 0.015. In general, the tribological performance of Si3N4 was better than that of Al2O3 because Si3N4 easily reacts with water to form a protective SiO2 film on its surface.

Automated summary

The study found that under DPPC lubrication, PEEK exhibited better wear resistance than UHMWPE, and under high load and low frequency conditions, the friction coefficient of Si3N4/Chirulen(R) 1020 XPE was low. Additionally, the tribological performance of Si3N4 was superior to Al2O3 due to the formation of a protective SiO2 film on its surface in water.