CARBON NANOTUBES REINFORCED ZIRCONIA COMPOSITES FOR ARTFICIAL HIP JOINTS BEARING SURFACES

Abstract

This research focuses on the properties and capabilities of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as reinforcing agents in ceramic composite bearing components. The addition of CNT to pure ceramics can form composites with much better performance than conventional ceramics for various applications. The study was started from the pure ceramics in their use as a component of bearing total hip arthroplasty and the damage that occurred after implantation. The study covers factors that cause degradation of conventional ceramics introduction of properties and use of CNTs as new reinforcing agents for ceramic composite materials widely used sintering method and the heat and pressure parameters used during the sintering process to meet the standards for the manufacture of Total Hip Arthroplasty (THA) bearing component. The contact and buckling behaviors of the CNTs influence the composites friction properties. The presence of CNT until 20 wt% of CNT exhibited improve wear resistance with lower friction with the increase of weight percent. CNT reinforced ceramic coating might be capable to withstand high load-bearing conditions. Plastic deformation can be one of the critical processes in wear in the ceramics wear mechanism. Other processes are cracking and chemical reaction. The microstructures and porosity take an important role in indicating the ceramics wear properties and wear mechanisms.