Bio-tribocorrosion – current concepts in micro-abrasion–corrosion mapping of CoCrMo alloy for hip replacement bearings

Wear is recognized as the primary mode of failure in hip replacement devices in-vivo, and remains an on-going challenge for orthopaedic manufacturers, clinicians and tribologists. The aim of this work was to characterize the micro-abrasion–corrosion performance for a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) alloy and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) bearing couple over a range of applied loads and applied potentials in a physiological solution. The transitioning micro-abrasion–corrosion mechanisms, synergisms and wastage performances have been identified and mapped.