Study on the Effect of ELID Grinding on corrosion wear properties of Co-Cr Alloy

Abstract

Contemporary Co-Cr alloys used in artificial joints can cause health complications in long-term applications. A pin-on-disc friction and wear testing instrument was used to evaluate the corrosion and abrasion of two types of Co-Cr alloys for artificial joints under simulated body fluid conditions after surface electrolytic composite grinding. Co-materials with lower carbon content displayed superior corrosion resistance than those materials with higher carbon content. Moreover, surface processing with electrolytic composite grinding produced a stable surface modification layer, which improved the surface hardness and formed an oxide film that inhibited metal ionization. The formation of precipitates in the corrosive environment is likely to improve the friction and wear properties of the material. As such, a variety of hardness was observed for the artificial joint friction disc and pin, especially when the hardness of the disc was higher than that of the pin, which can improve the friction and wear behavior of joints.