Basic Bio-Tribological Performance of Insulating Si3N4-Based Ceramic as Human Body Replacement Joints

The paper presents an in-depth study of the bio-tribological performance on silicon nitride matrix ceramic composites containing hexagonal boron (hBN) with different content. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) under simulated body fluid lubrication, and fluid-lubricated sliding tests were performed a universal friction wear tester. results showed that incorporation hBN into reduced coefficients from 0.27 for Si3N4/UHMWPE pair to 0.16 Si3N4-20%hBN/UHMWPE full immersion in lubrication. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), laser scanning microscope, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) utilized characterize surface. analysis indicated that, interfacial between Si3N4 facilitated pits form surface, residual particles deposited pits. Then, tribochemical products formed which protected smoothed surface fluid.