Experimental Investigation of the Tribological Contact between Ti6Al4V-EBM Pin and UHMWPE Rotating Sheet for Prosthetic Applications

This work is aimed at studying the tribological contact between a titanium–aluminum–vanadium alloy pin (Ti6Al4V), produced by Electron Beam Melting (EBM), and sheet of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), which are widely utilized materials for prosthetic applications. Using “pin on disc” system, tribometric tests different duration (up to 240 min) were carried out in order trace trend polymer mass loss as function test time. In this way it was possible identify stationary phase adhesive friction, specific wear rate, characterizes system under lubrication conditions, obtained. As pin, no losses measured, while optical observations tip showed compressive effect after entire campaign.