Hip implant modular junction: The role of CoCrMo alloy microstructure on fretting-corrosion

Jacob Manthe; Kai Yuan Cheng; Divya Bijukumar; Mark Barba; Robin Pourzal; Mozart Neto; Mathew T Mathew

doi:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105402

Hip implant modular junction: The role of CoCrMo alloy microstructure on fretting-corrosion

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater. 2022 Oct:134:105402. doi: 10.1016/j.jmbbm.2022.105402. Epub 2022 Aug 11.

Authors

Jacob Manthe¹, Kai Yuan Cheng¹, Divya Bijukumar¹, Mark Barba², Robin Pourzal³, Mozart Neto³, Mathew T Mathew⁴

Affiliations

¹ RMDR Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL, USA.
² Orthoillinois, Rockford, IL, USA.
³ Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA.
⁴ RMDR Lab, Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Illinois College of Medicine, Rockford, IL, USA; Department of Orthopedics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: mtmathew@uic.edu.

Abstract

Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy is one of the most used metals in total hip replacement (THR) due to the alloy's superior corrosion qualities and biocompatibility. Over time these prostheses may undergo wear and corrosion processes in a synergistic process known as tribocorrosion. Implant retrieval studies have shown that damage patterns on THR modular junction surfaces indicating specifically in vivo fretting-corrosion to take place. To date, there have been no studies on the fretting-corrosion behaviors of CoCrMo alloy under the consideration of specific microstructural features. A custom-built flat-on-flat fretting-corrosion setup was utilized to test the synergistic tribocorrosion behavior of fretting-corrosion. The difference in microstructure was generated through the cutting orientations of the transverse and the longitudinal direction of the bar stock material, where the longitudinal cut exhibits a characteristic banded microstructure (banded group) and the transverse cut a homogenous microstructure (unbanded group). A three-electrode system was employed to monitor the induced currents. Two different types of electrolytes were used in the current study: 1. Bovine calf serum (BCS-30 g/L protein) (normal conditions) 2. BCS with Lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.15 μg/ml) (simulated infectious conditions). In the free potential mode, banded samples showed an increased potential compared to the unbanded samples. In potentiostatic conditions, the banded group also exhibited a higher induced current in both electrolyte environments, indicating more corrosion loss. Both Nyquist and Bode plots showed both orientations of metal becoming more corrosion resistant post-fretting when compared to pre-fretting data. The longitudinal group at OCP demonstrated a unique shape of the fretting-loop, which might be related to tribochemical reactions. Based on the mechanical, electrochemical, and surface characterization data, the transverse group (unbanded) microstructures demonstrates a higher resistance to fretting-corrosion damage.

Keywords: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS); Fretting-corrosion; Hip implant; Microstructure.

Publication types

Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip*
Cattle
Corrosion
Hip Prosthesis*
Materials Testing
Metals
Prosthesis Design
Prosthesis Failure
Surface Properties
Vitallium

Substances

Metals
Vitallium

Abstract

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

Grants and funding