Mechanical Properties and Three-Dimensional Topological Characterisation of Micron, Submicron and Nanoparticles from Art
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ORIGINAL PAPER
Mechanical Properties and Three-Dimensional Topological Characterisation of Micron, Submicron and Nanoparticles from Artificial Joints Jingping Wu • Zhongxiao Peng • Joanne Tipper
Received: 8 December 2012 / Accepted: 16 September 2013 / Published online: 6 October 2013 Ó Springer Science+Business Media New York 2013
Abstract Study of the geometry, nanomechanical properties and three-dimensional topographic characteristics of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear particles provides an insight into understanding the wear mechanisms in artificial joints, which have not been fully explored. In this study, UHMWPE particles were generated, collected and then separated into three groups based on their size: micrometre, submicrometre and nanometre. Particle size distribution and shape features were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. Atomic force microscopy was used to quantify wear particle topographic features and nanomechanical properties. From the wear particle geometry analysis, it was found that nano- and submicron-sized particles had a granular shape while micrometre-sized particles had a flake-like morphology. Moreover, the mechanical properties and topographic characterisation of the UHMWPE material indicated that the nano- and submicron-sized particles had a much greater modulus and smoother surface than that of the micron-sized particles and bulk polymer sample. These differences in the geometric, topographic and mechanical properties between the nanoparticles, submicron particles and the micron particles revealed that the micron particles were most likely to be produced under macroscopic polymer asperity wear, while the nano- and submicron-sized particles were generated under microscopic polymer asperity wear. These findings provide a deeper understanding of the wear mechanism J. Wu (&) Z. Peng School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia e-mail: [email protected] J. Tipper Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK
and processes of wear particle generation. Furthermore, the information may be useful to develop strategies for controlling and minimising the production of wear particles with particular features. Keywords UHMWPE wear particles Artificial hip joints Atomic force microscopy Morphology Mechanical properties
1 Introduction Since 1962, UHMWPE has been the most widely used bearing material for the replacement of damaged cartilage in total joint arthroplasties, owing to its chemical inertness, self-lubricating, impact resistance and abrasion resistance properties [1, 2]. However, in the late 1980s, it was realised that the wear particles generated in replacement joints could cause inflammatory reactions, which result in bone loss (osteolysis) and device failure [3]. Since then, the implant wear and associated wear particles have received significant attention. Better understanding of the particle generation mechanisms is necessa
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