Materials and Methods

Each test series consisted of n=5 BIOLOX®delta 28–12/14 L ball heads and n=5 metal test tapers (Ti-6Al-4V, ISO 5832-3). For the reference series the metal tapers remained untouched representing the CeramTec standard test procedure. For the fluid series the ball heads were filled up with tap water or calf blood serum. For the solid series the metal test tapers were contaminated with small particles of bovine bone, commercially available bone cement and porcine fat tissue in the engagement zone. A chisel and a slight hammer tap were used to scratch the proximal region of the metal test taper. The ball heads were then manually attached to the contaminated metal test tapers without further force appliances. An apparatus according to ISO 7206-10 was used for burst testing. The tests were performed at CeramTec in-house test laboratory.