Response of duplex Cr(N)/S and Cr(C)/S coatings on 316L stainless steel to tribocorrosion in 0.89% NaCl solution under plastic contact conditions.

Two duplex coatings, Cr(N)/S and Cr(C)/S, were deposited on 316 L stainless steel by magnetron sputtering. The effectiveness of these duplex coatings in improving the tribocorrosion behavior of medical alloys under elastic contact conditions has been demonstrated in a recent publication. The present work focused on the response of these duplex coatings to tribocorrosion under plastic contact conditions. Tribocorrosion tests were conducted in 0.89% NaCl solution at 37°C at an initial contact pressure of 740 MPa and under unidirectional sliding conditions for sliding duration up to 24 h. The results showed that during sliding in the corrosive solution, the duplex coatings were plastically deformed into the substrate to a depth about 1 µm. The Cr(C)/S duplex coating had sufficient ductility to accommodate the deformation without cracking, such that it was worn through gradually, leading to the gradual increase in open circuit potential (OCP) and coefficient of friction (COF). On the other hand, the Cr(N)/S duplex coating suffered from cracking at all tested potentials, leading to coating blistering after prolonged sliding at OCP and stable pit formation in the substrate beneath the coating at applied anodic potentials. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 105B: 1503-1513, 2017.

A review of metallic, ceramic and surface-treated metals used for bearing surfaces in human joint replacements.

A review of established and advanced materials used for the bearing surfaces of total hip replacements (THRs), their standards, methods of manufacture and corrosion testing is presented. Some account is also taken of parallel developments in femoral components used in total knee replacements (TKRs). Metallic, ceramic and surface-modified metallic materials are separately reviewed, but wherever possible common practices are collated. Coated implant bearing surfaces are in an advanced state of development and some designs are receiving clinical evaluation. To date, however, no standard methods of manufacturing and testing these materials have been agreed. Accordingly, corrosion and other key quality test methods suitable for surface-modified implant bearing materials are reviewed.