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In vitro testing of Al 2 O 3 –Nb composite for femoral head applications in total hip arthroplasty

Acta Biomaterialia, ISSN: 1742-7061, Vol: 6, Issue: 2, Page: 708-714
2010
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Article Description

Alumina (Al 2 O 3 ) bearings in total hip arthroplasty lead to low wear rates, but catastrophic failure of Al 2 O 3 femoral heads, while rare, remains a concern. In the present work, a composite of Al 2 O 3 and niobium (Nb) was tested in vitro for potential use as an alternative femoral head material in vivo. Dense composite laminates of Al 2 O 3 and Nb were fabricated by hot pressing, and their microstructure and mechanical properties were evaluated. The flexural strength of Al 2 O 3 –Nb laminates in four-point loading was 720 ± 40 MPa, compared with a value of 460 ± 110 MPa for Al 2 O 3. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction showed a well-bonded interface between the Al 2 O 3 and Nb without measurable formation of an interfacial reaction phase. The interfacial shear strength between Al 2 O 3 and Nb, measured by a double-notched specimen test, was 290 ± 15 MPa. The feasibility of fabricating prototype femoral heads (32 mm in diameter), consisting of an Al 2 O 3 surface layer (2–3 mm thick) and a Nb core, by hot pressing was shown. The composite femoral head combined the low wear of an Al 2 O 3 articulating surface with the safety of a ductile metal femoral head.

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