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Graphitic Tribological Layers in Metal-on-Metal Hip Replacements

Smooth Hips

A growing fraction of installed hip replacements are of the metal-on-metal type, in order to avoid the wear and debris problems that arise from devices that use polymer sockets. One might think that a metal-on-metal device would suffer from excessive friction, but somehow within patients a low friction layer forms where the surfaces meet. Liao et al. (SCIENCE, Vol. 334, p. 1687) examined the surface layers from hip replacements retrieved from patients and found a thin graphitic layer.
Because graphite is an excellent solid lubricant, this explains the low friction observed in these types of hip replacements.

Article in REUTERS and Chicago Tribune: Metal hip lubricant reduces wear and tear: study
Chicago Tribune: Rush-Nu team finds clue to longer-lasting hip implants
ASM Medical Materials: Discovery could extend lifetime of metal hip implants

... more links can be found here.

Spektrum: Graphit schmiert künstliche Hüftgelenke wie Motoröl

Interview with co-author Dr. Joshua J. Jacobs at acb7.

News in the winter semester 2011/2012

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