Frank D. Matthews

ENHANCEMENT OF THE TI-6AL-4V/UHMWPE WEAR COUPLE THROUGH NITROGEN ION IMPLANTATION

Ion implantation was investigated as a means of improving the wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V alloy and the performance of the Ti-6Al-4V/UHMWPE wear couple. Included in the pin-on-disc wear study were cobalt-chromium and stainless steel controls as well as non-ion-implanted Ti-6Al-4V. Ion implanted Ti-6Al-4V and the control alloys exhibited minor scratching whereas non-ion-implanted Ti-6Al-4V exhibited definite wear scars. Gravimetric analysis of the UHMWPE discs revealed no significant difference between those worn against ion implanted Ti-6Al-4V and the control alloys. Discs worn against non-ion-implanted Ti-6Al-4V, however, exhibited significantly more weight loss than the other couples. The results of this testing indicate that nitrogen ion implantation improves the wear resistance of Ti-6Al-4V with an attendant decrease in the amount of polyethylene abrasive wear.