SiNtx Technologies Inc (SINT)

[boston745]

Mechanistic Study of the Wear of Ceramic Heads by Metallic Stems in Modular Implants

Unexpected wear of the ZTA ceramic femoral heads used in total hip replacement by titanium alloy stems in the taper connection has been investigated. The results show that when materials are used in human body, their surface mechanical properties can be changed significantly. In vivo oxidation of the titanium alloy causes the stem to become harder and the ceramic component becomes softer due to chemomechanical effects on the surface. Therefore, harder oxidised titanium can wear the softened ceramic femoral head in the taper connection in the studied conditions.

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40735-016-0066-8