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Fabrication and evaluation of SixNy coatings for total joint replacements

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Abstract

Wear particles from the bearing surfaces of joint implants are one of the main limiting factors for total implant longevity. Si3N4 is a potential wear resistant alternative for total joint replacements. In this study, SixNy-coatings were deposited on cobalt chromium-discs and Si-wafers by a physical vapour deposition process. The tribological properties, as well as surface appearance, chemical composition, phase composition, structure and hardness of these coatings were analysed. The coatings were found to be amorphous or nanocrystalline, with a hardness and coefficient of friction against Si3N4 similar to that found for bulk Si3N4. The low wear rate of the coatings indicates that they have a potential as bearing surfaces of joint replacements. The adhesion to the substrates remains to be improved.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for the financial support from the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF) Program in Materials for Nanoscale Surface Engineering (MS2E). Sandvik Materials Technology is recognised for providing substrate materials.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Applied Materials Science, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    J. Olofsson, M. Pettersson, K. Grandfield, C. Persson, S. Jacobson & H. Engqvist

  2. Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM, Halle, Germany

    N. Teuscher & A. Heilmann

  3. Materials Chemistry, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

    K. Larsson

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  1. J. Olofsson
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  2. M. Pettersson
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  3. N. Teuscher
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  4. A. Heilmann
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Correspondence to J. Olofsson.

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Olofsson, J., Pettersson, M., Teuscher, N. et al. Fabrication and evaluation of SixNy coatings for total joint replacements. J Mater Sci: Mater Med 23, 1879–1889 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4625-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10856-012-4625-3

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