Improvement of the serviceability of titanium–chirulen friction couples

Abstract

We present results of an investigation of tribologic characteristics of pure titanium and a Co-Cr-Mo al- loy coupled with chirulen under conditions close to operating conditions of an implanted hinge joint. The endoprosthetic management of joints by their partial or total replacement by artificial components is an efficient method of restoration of the human working capacity. At present, about one million such surgeries are performed each year in the world, though, according to data of the World Health Organization, one person per thousand needs this treatment (1, 2). In the practice of bone surgery of Ukraine, mainly import hip joint endoprostheses are currently used be- cause the output of domestic ones is insufficient, and, as a rule, they are of worse quality. Due to the high price of imported articles, many potential users lose the possibility to return to full-value life. Thus, endoprosthetic replacement of joints in the Ukraine is an exceptionally important medical and social problem, and investiga- tions in this direction are of major importance.