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Abstract
The wear of balls of N ion implanted Ti and Ti6Al4V alloy bearing against cups of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene was investigated using a simulator to approximate the conditions of an artificial hip joint. Differences in polymer wear rates related to variations in the surface finish of the balls, but not to ion implantation, were observed. The wear resistance of the femoral heads was significantly improved by ion implantation. Analysis of the lubricant showed lower concentrations of metal from the ion implanted specimens compared to non-implanted controls. After 106 cycles in the simulator, the equivalent of approximately 1 year's use of a hip prosthesis in a patient, significant parts of the specimens' ion implanted layers had worn away. This metallic wear was more extensive with the Ti samples than those of Ti6Al4V. Since the wear conditions in the laboratory simulation may be more aggressive than is typical in patients, the rate of wear of the ion implanted layer in actual use needs to be established from measurements on components removed from patients.