Fretting crevice-corrosion (tribocorrosion) of metallic biomaterials is a major concern in orthopedic, spinal, dental and cardiovascular devices1. Stainless steel (i.e., 316L SS) is one alloy that sees extensive use in applications where fretting, crevices and corrosion may be present. While fretting-corrosion of this alloy has been somewhat studied, the concept of fretting-initiating crevice corrosion (FICC), where an initial fretting corrosion process leads to ongoing crevice-corrosion without continued fretting, is less understood. This study investigated the susceptibility of 316L SS to FICC and the role of applied potential on the process. The hypothesis is crevice-corrosion can be induced in 316L SS at potentials well below the pitting potential. A pin-on-disk fretting test system similar to that of Swaminathan et al.2 was employed. Disks were ∼35 mm in diameter and the pin area was ∼500 mm. Samples were polished to 600 mm finish, cleaned with ethanol and distilled water. An Ag/AgCl wire as the reference, a carbon counter electrode and phosphate buffered saline (PBS, pH 7.4, Room T) were used for electrochemical testing. Load was controlled with a dead-weight system, monitored with a six-axis load cell (ATI Inc.). Interfacial motion was captured with a non-contact eddy current sensor (0.5 mm accuracy). Motion and load data acquisition was performed with Labview (National Instruments). Samples were loaded to ∼2 N. The potential per tests was increased from −250 to 250 mV (50 mV increments) with new locations and pins used in each repeat (n=3). Testing incorporated a 1 min rest before fretting (5 min, 1.25 Hz, 60 mm displacement saw tooth pattern). Fretting ceased and the load was held while currents were captured for another 5 min to assess ongoing crevice corrosion.Introduction
Materials and Methods
In hip arthroplasty, it has been shown that assembly of the femoral head onto the stem remains a non-standardized practice and differs between surgeons [1]. Pennock et al. determined by altering mechanical conditions during seating there was a direct effect on the taper strength [2]. Furthermore, Mali et al. demonstrated that components assembled with a lower assembly load had increased fretting currents and micromotion at the taper junction during cyclic testing [3]. This suggests overall performance may be affected by head assembly method. The purpose of this test was to perform controlled bench top studies to determine the influence of impaction force and compliance of support structure (or damping) on the initial stability of the taper junction.Introduction
Materials and Methods
Mechanically assisted crevice corrosion of modular tapers continues to be a concern in total joint replacements as studies have reported increases in local tissue reactions1. Two surgical factors that may effect taper seating mechanics are seating load magnitude and orientation. In this study 12/14 modular taper junctions were seated over a range of loads and loading orientations. The goals of this study were to assess the effects of load magnitude and orientation on seating load-displacement mechanics and to correlate these to the pull-off load. Ti6Al4V 12/14 tapers and CoCrMo heads were tested axially at four seating load levels (n=5): 1-, 2-, 4- and 8- kN. Three orientation groups were tested at 4 kN (n=5), 0°, 10° and 20°. The load-displacement behavior during testing was captured using data acquisition methods and two non-contact eddy current sensors fixed to the neck, targeting head-neck relative motion (Micro-Epsilon). Loads were ramped (200 N/s) with a servohydraulic system from 0 N to peak load and held for 5s (Instron). Off-axis test samples were oriented in an angled fixture. Displacement and load data were recorded in LabView. Seating displacement was the distance traveled between 50 N and thepeak load. Axial tensile pull-off loads (5 mm/min) were applied until the locking ability of taper junctions failed. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA test (P<0.05).Statement of Purpose
Methods
