Implants tribological properties

The implantation of low-to-medium energy ions changes only surfaee layer of polymers, with the thickness in nm-pm range, and preserves favorable bulk properties of polymers. By the ion implantation sueh surfaee properties as ehemieal strueture [108-111], wettability [109,110,112], eleetrieal eonduetivity [109,113-116], tribological properties [112,117,118] and bioaetivity [18,111-113,119] ean be ehanged in a manner which can be controlled by a proper ehoice of ion mass, energy and fluenee. 

Kumar, N., Kataria, S., Dash, S. et al. 2012a. Tribological properties of nitrogen ion implanted steel. Wear 274-275 60-67. 

Cabioc h et al. developed a method based on carbon ion implantation into a metal matrix (Ag, Cu), resulting in onions with typical diameters in the 3-15 nm range. Snfficient quantities could be produced for investigation of their optical, electronic, and tribological properties. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements on these carbon onions demonstrated that the most stable state for the onions consists of concentric spheres of fnllerenes. The electronic properties of the onions were characterized by spatially resolved electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) in transmission, and reflection mode. ... 

Modification of surface composition enhances the tribological properties of deficient materials. Quantitative analyses of worn smfaces on nitrogen-implanted Ti-6A1-4V have own that oxygen and carbon are incorporated into the surface layer during either implantation or the wear event. These complex-composition sur ce layers help produce lower coefficients of fiiction (Ref 11,12). 

Mamay followed his patients until 1998 before making further modifications, which resulted in the current ProDisc-L design. Since 1999, more than 5000 ProDisc-L components have been implanted worldwide up to 2005 [41]. In the second-generation design, the endplates are fabricated from CoCr alloy, which has improved tribological properties as compared with Ti alloy. In addition, a single. 

Other materials can be ion implanted and are under investigation for commercial applications. These include a combination of titanium and carbon implantation, which produces an amorphous surface layer at low temperatures and carbide precipitation at high temperamres. Ion implantation of active species has been shown to increase the erosion and wear resistance of surfaces (Ti/C on steel, N on steel), the hardness of surfaces (Ni on Al), the oxidation resistance of surfaces (Pt on Ti), and the tribological properties of surfaces. Ion implantation of inert species has been shown to increase the hardness of TIN films. Ion implantation can cause a metal surface to become amorphous. 

The surface characteristics of materials dominate the performance of the final products in many applications. For instance the mechanical behavior of composite materials are strongly dependent on the nature of the fiber/matrix interface, the lubricant properties are influenced by surface tribological effects, the success of bio-implants is mostly determined by biocompatibility, etc. 

---