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Research on the friction and wear mechanism of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxylapatite composite hydrogel

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Abstract

Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Hydroxylapatite (PVA/HA) composite hydrogel was prepared with poly(vinyl alcohol) and hydroxylapatite as raw materials, using the method of repeated freezing and thawing. The morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were observed by means of high-accuracy 3D profiler and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The compressive elastic modulus and the stress relaxation characteristics of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were measured using the flat-head cylinder indenter. The friction and wear tests between PVA/HA composite hydrogel and bovine knee articular cartilage were performed on the micro-tribometer. The worn morphologies of PVA/HA composite hydrogel were observed with environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The results showed that PVA/HA composite hydrogel has the cross-link network microstructure which is similar to that of the natural bovine knee articular cartilages. With the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content, the degree of cross-link and the crystallization of PVA/HA composite hydrogel both increase, the elastic modulus increases evidently, the rate of stress relaxation is improved and the value of balance stress decreases. The friction coefficient decreases with the increase of the freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content. The more the freezing-thawing cycles are, the earlier the friction coefficient reaches the stable balance value. The friction deformation depth between PVA/HA composite hydrogel and bovine knee articular cartilage is inversely proportional to freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content. The main wear mechanisms of PVA/HA composite hydrogel are plastic flowing and adhesive flaking. The wear severity degree decreases with the increase of freezing-thawing cycles and the HA content.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Materials Science and Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Xuzhou, 221116, China

    DeKun Zhang & ShiRong Ge

  2. Biotribology Center, State Key Laboratory of Tribology, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100083, China

    DeKun Zhang & ShiRong Ge

  3. Long Pan College, Jin Ling Institute of Technology, Nanjing, 211169, China

    YanQiu Shen

Authors
  1. DeKun Zhang
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  2. YanQiu Shen
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  3. ShiRong Ge
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Correspondence to DeKun Zhang.

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Supported by Key Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 50535050), Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University (Grant No. NCET-06-0479) and Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province (Grant No. BK2005403)

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Zhang, D., Shen, Y. & Ge, S. Research on the friction and wear mechanism of Poly(vinyl alcohol)/hydroxylapatite composite hydrogel. Sci. China Ser. E-Technol. Sci. 52, 2474–2480 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-008-0301-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11431-008-0301-8

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