Alumina-tantalum composite for femoral head applications in total hip arthroplasty

作者：Huang T S; Rahaman M N^*; Bal B S

来源：Materials Science and Engineering: C , 2009, 29(6): 1935-1941.

DOI：10.1016/j.msec.2009.03.005

• Total hip arthroplasty
• Femoral head
• Composite
• Alumina
• Tantalum

Dense composite laminates of alumina (Al(2)O(3)) and tantalum (Ta) were fabricated by hot pressing and tested in vitro for potential use as a femoral head material in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Al(2)O(3)-Ta composite laminates hot pressed at 1450 degrees C and 1650 degrees C had flexural strengths of 940 /- 180 MPa and 1090 /- 340 MPa, respectively, which were far larger than the values of 420 /- 140 MPa and 400 /- 130 MPa for Al(2)O(3) hot pressed at 1450 degrees C and 1650 degrees C, respectively. The interfacial shear strength. determined by a double-notched specimen test, was 310 /- 80 MPa for the composite laminate hot pressed at 1650 degrees C, indicating strong interfacial bonding between Al(2)O(3) and Ta. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis, and X-ray mapping of polished sections of the hot-pressed laminates showed the presence of an interfacial region formed presumably by diffusion of 0 (at 1450 degrees C) or 0 and Al (1650 degrees C) from Al(2)O(3) into Ta. Composite femoral heads of Al(2)O(3) and Ta could combine the low wear of an Al(2)O(3) articulating surface with the safety of a ductile metal femoral head.

• 出版日期2009-8-1