On the replacement of articular cartilage: The friction of PVA hydrogel layer in hip simulator test

• Published in: Tribology international 2023-02, Vol.178, p.108100, Article 108100
• Main Authors: Nečas, David, Yarimitsu, Seido, Rebenda, David, Shinmori, Hironori, Vrbka, Martin, Sawae, Yoshinori, Murakami, Teruo, Křupka, Ivan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cartilage replacement; Friction; Hydrogel; Pendulum simulator
• ISSN: 0301-679X; 1879-2464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.triboint.2022.108100

The present study focuses on friction evaluation of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel layer, an anticipative material for cartilage replacement. The experiments were carried out in a ball-in-socket configuration using a pendulum hip simulator. The friction coefficients of ceramic-on-hydrogel pairs were compared with those of commercial implants (metal/ceramic heads vs UHMWPE, HXPE and metal/ceramic sockets). The effects of hydrogel ageing and hydration were studied, among others. The use of PVA inserts caused up to 98% reduction in friction coefficient compared to original hip pairs. The application of PVA for local or even complete cartilage replacement seems to be an outstanding opportunity in implantology. •Friction investigation of hip implants with PVA hydrogel insert.•Testing of real conformal contact using pendulum hip joint simulator.•Comparison of friction with conventional hip replacement materials.•Friction-speed dependence of PVA hydrogel using rheometer.•Up to 80 times lower friction for hydrogel-inserted implants.