COMPUTATIONAL ANALYSIS OF TAPER JUNCTION FRETTING OF FEMORAL HIP IMPLANTS

BackgroundFretting at modular junctions is thought to be a ‘mechanically assisted’ corrosion phenomenon, initiated by mechanical factors that lead to increased contact stresses and micromotions at the taper interface. We adopted a finite element approach to model the head-taper junction, to analyse the contact mechanics at the taper interface. We investigated the effect of assembly force and angle on contact pressures and micromotions, during loads commonly used to test hip implants, to demonstrate the importance of a good assembly during surgery.MethodsModels of the Bimetric taper and adaptor were created, with elastic-plastic material properties based on material tests with the actual implant alloy. FE contact conditions were validated against push-on and pull-off experiments. The models were loaded according to ISO 7206-4 and −6, after being assembled at 2-4-15kN, both axially and at a 30° angle. Average micromotions and contact pressures were analysed, and a wear score was calculated based on the cont...