[en] Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Lubricated Ti6Al4V was fabricated by anodic oxidation and hydrophilic polymer grafting. • Surface composition and tribological properties were estimated. • Proper surface micropores formed at optimum voltage of 100 V. • Combined effect of porous structure and polymer brushes decreased friction coefficient and wear. • Hydrated lubricating layer and hydrodynamic lubrication contributed to lubricated surface. - Abstract: On the purpose of improving the tribological properties of titanium alloy through mimicking natural articular cartilage, porous structure was prepared on the surface of Ti6Al4V alloy by anodic oxidation method, and then hydrophilic polymer brushes were grafted onto its surface. Surface morphology of porous oxidized film was investigated by metalloscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The composition and structure of modified surface were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FTIR/ATR), and the wettability was also evaluated. Friction and wear properties of modified alloys sliding against ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were tested by a pin-on-disc tribometer in physiological saline. The results showed that, the optimum porous structure treated by anodic oxidation formed when the voltage reached as high as 100 V. Hydrophilic monomers [Acrylic acid (AA) and 3-dimethyl-(3-(N-methacrylamido) propyl) ammonium propane sulfonate (DMMPPS)] were successfully grafted onto porous Ti6Al4V surface to form polymer brushes by UV radiation. The change of contact angle showed that wettability of modified Ti6Al4V was improved significantly. The friction coefficient of modified Ti6Al4V was much lower and more stable than untreated ones. The lowest friction coefficient was obtained when the sample was anodized at 100 V and grafted with DMMPPS, and the value was 0.132. The wear of modified samples was also obviously improved

[en] In order to prolong the service life of artificial joints, a zwitterion monomer of MPDSAH ((3-(methacryloylamino)propyl)dimethyl (3-sulfopropyl)ammonium hydroxide) was grafted onto ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) powders to construct a brush-like structure by UV irradiation, and then the grafted UHMWPE powders were hot pressed as the bulk materials. The wettability of bulk materials surface with different monomer concentrations was analyzed. The tribological properties of modified UHMWPE bulk materials were investigated under distilled water and saline by sliding against stainless steel ball. The measurement of Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy indicates that MPDSAH is successfully grafted onto the surface of UHMWPE powders by UV irradiation. The contact angles of modified UHMWPE are decreased and the surface wettability is effectively improved. The friction coefficient of the modified sample is lower than that of untreated UHMWPE in aqueous lubricants during a long-term friction. With the increase of monomer concentration, the wear rate of grafted UHMWPE decreases gradually in distilled water. The grafting hydrophilic macromolecule polymer is helpful to form a lubricating film of water, which leads to the improvement of the lubricity of UHMWPE. - Highlights: ► PMPDSAH brushes were grafted onto UHMWPE powders by UV radiation. ► Wettability of PMPDSAH-grafted UHMWPE bulk material is improved. ► UHMWPE grafted with PMPDSAH brushes shows lower friction coefficient and wear rate

[en] The keys of biomaterials application in artificial joints are good hydrophilicity and wear resistance. One kind of the potential bio-implant materials is polyetheretherketone (PEEK), which has some excellent properties such as non-toxic and good biocompatibility. However, its bioinert surface and inherent chemical inertness hinder its application. In this study, we reported an efficient method for improving the surface wettability and wear resistance for PEEK, a layer of acrylic acid (AA) polymer brushes on PEEK surface was prepared by UV-initiated graft polymerization. The effects of different grafting parameters (UV-irradiation time/AA monomer solution concentration) on surface characteristics were clearly investigated, and the AA-g-PEEK specimens were examined by ATR-FTIR, static water contact angle measurements and friction tests. Our results reveal that AA can be successfully grafted onto the PEEK surface after UV irradiation, the water wettability and tribological properties of AA-g-PEEK are much better than untreated PEEK because that AA is a hydrophilic monomer, the AA layer on PEEK surface can improve its bearing capacity and reduce abrasion. This detailed understanding of the grafting parameters allows us to accurately control the experimental products, and this method of surface modification broadens the use of PEEK in orthopedic implants. - Highlights: • Acrylic acid was successful grafted onto PEEK substrate by UV-initiated graft polymerization. • AA-g-PEEK owned better hydrophilicity than untreated PEEK. • Wear resistance of AA-g-PEEK were significantly improved due to AA brushes could bear high contact stress.

[en] Graphical abstract: - Highlights: • Wettability and blood compatibility of PMPC-grafted UHMWPE were improved. • The friction properties including the short and long term under high contact stress were investigated. • The PMPC brushes were sheared off from the surface with the increase of sliding cycles. - Abstract: Extremely efficient lubrication has been observed between natural joint surfaces and the friction coefficients can reach as low as 0.001. However, attaining the ultra-low friction coefficients between articulating cartilage surfaces in any artificial joints remains a challenge for bio-tribologists. In order to obtain the ultra-low friction coefficients as in natural joints, a biomimetic zwitterionic monomer 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) was grafted on the ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) by UV radiation and self-polymerized to form brush-like structure. The results of total reflection (FT-IR/ATR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectra indicated successful grafting of PMPC on to the UHMWPE surface (Polymerization of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine). The water contact angle of UHMWPE decreased from 80° to 15° after grafting PMPC for 45 min. Tribological properties were tested under high contact stress for a longer duration of time. The friction coefficient of the sample grafted with PMPC was found to be much lower than that of untreated UHMWPE at initial stage which increased gradually with the increase of the cycle till it attained the same level as that observed for untreated UHMWPE. The wear rate of modified samples was decreased by 37% and 46% in distilled water and saline, respectively. The highly hydrated PMPC layer provided efficient lubrication at the interface between the sliding couple leading to wear reduction of UHMWPE. Furthermore, blood compatibility of modified artificial joint materials was improved significantly, which has been attributed to the properties and structures of PMPC grafted on the UHMWPE surface

[en] The PA1010 was implanted with O⁺ at different energies and doses. The friction and wear behaviors of the ion implanted PA1010 disk rubbing with HastC balls were studied using a pin -on -disk tribometer under dry friction and distilled lubrication condition. SEM examined the surfaces of un-implanted and implanted PA1010 before and after wear. The results show that the wear resistance of PA1010 is increased with several kinds of implantation technologies and raising implanted energy is more efficient than increasing implanted doses for increasing wear resistance of PA1010. The wear of the HastC is increased with decreasing wear of implanted PA1010. The adhesive, plow and plastic deformation is wearing mechanism for un-implanted PA1010 and fatigue, abrasive wear for implanted PA1010

[en] Highlights: • MAO and grafting polymer were employed to prepare composite coating on Ti6Al4V. • Porous TiO₂ layer and hydrophilic polymer brushes were successfully created. • Surface characterization and tribological performance were investigated. • Low friction coefficient and excellent wear resistance were obtained. - Abstract: To improve the tribological properties of Ti6Al4V alloy to realize the application in artificial joints, a novel composite coating was designed and fabricated on its surface through the combination of two different surface modification techniques—micro-arc oxidation (MAO) and grafting hydrophilic polymer. The characterizations of morphologies and composition of MAO layer were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscope (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). It was found that a TiO₂ layer displaying uniform porous structure formed on the surface based on the optimal MAO parameters of an oxidation voltage of 450 V and an oxidation time of 60 min. After grafting 3-dimethyl(3-(N-methacrylamido)propyl) ammonium propane sulfonate (MPDSAH), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflection (FT-IR/ATR) and wettability test demonstrated the successful modification. Tribological performance of composite coating-modified Ti6Al4V alloy in water exhibited the low friction coefficient of 0.13 and favorable wear resistance.

[en] Natural sponge was used as a template to produce carbon/epoxy resin and (carbon+silicon carbide)/epoxy resin composites with interpenetrating network structures. Carbon with a network structure was first obtained by pyrolysis of the natural sponge. The composites were then obtained by injecting epoxy resin and silicone resin into the carbon. Their microstructures and wear properties were analyzed. The results show that the natural structure of sponge controlled the interpenetrating network structures of the composites. The netlike carbon in the composites reduced the wear rate of the epoxy resin. Compared with the carbon/epoxy resin composite, the (carbon+silicon carbide)/epoxy resin composite shows better wear resistance.

[en] This paper reports a stable superhydrophobic surface on resin composites through the coprecipitation process of hydroxyethyl cellulose and modified Zn-particles, subsequently with the use of PDMS seal. Surface morphologies and chemical compositions are investigated with SEM, EDS, and FT-IR. As expected, the prepared surface has the water repellency with the contact angle of 153° and the sliding angle of 1°, respectively. According to the comparison of different specimens when after the liquid impingement test, it can be reasonably demonstrated that appropriate PDMS seal improves the stability with regard to superhydrophobic surfaces. When superhydrophobic surface is soaked chronically and impinged strongly by water, its water repellency is going to reduce. However, further surface modification introduced by combustion leads to excellent water repellency again. And the sliding angle value of further modified surface is below 1°. The preparation of superhydrophobic surface is also applicable to a paper. This superhydrophobic paper is less flammable than the untreated paper. In addition, the as-prepared superhydrophobic surface exhibits good self-cleaning ability towards avoiding different types of contaminants.

[en] The mechanical and tribological properties of tantalum and its alloy films are greatly influenced by their phase transformation. In this study, Ta and Ta-Ag films were prepared on carbon steel substrate by DC magnetron sputtering with various sputtering powers. The amorphous and nanocrystalline Ta and Ta-Ag film were produced at different sputtering powers from 40 to 110 W. The frictional properties of Ta and Ta-Ag films were investigated by rubbing against Si₃N₄ ball from RT to 700 °C. The nanocrystalline Ta-Ag films shows higher hardness values (12 GPa) compared with amorphous phase. The nanocrystalline Ta90-Ag8 film shows a low friction coefficient of about 0.20-0.30 when rubbing against Si₃N₄ ball at 700 °C. The segregation of Ag can effectively reduce friction coefficients of Ta-Ag film at 700 °C. The Ta-Ag films show high structure stability even after friction at 700 °C.

[en] The high-temperature properties of steel surface can be improved by molybdenum surface alloying. Molybdenzing was carried out on carbon steel in the multi-function double glow plasma surface alloying furnace. The friction and wear tests were conducted on a high temperature ball-on-disk tribometer under the temperature of 25 deg. C∼600 deg. C. The contents of alloy element varied with alloyed layer were detected by SEM attached with EDS. The molybdenized layer is composed of the deposited layer and diffused layer. The micro-hardness of alloyed layer decreases from HV650 on the top layer to HV240. The friction coefficient of molybdenized layer decreases from 0.5∼0.6 to 0.2∼0.3 and wear rate decreases by 20% at elevated temperature after molybdenizing.