Anti-friction mechanism of textured artificial joint material under the walking conditions of human

The tribological properties of artificial joints can be significantly affected by surface textures. In this study, micro textures were prepared by laser surface texturing on the 316 L stainless steel. The relationship between surface and tribological properties of the material was proposed, and the tribological behavior was verified by different micro-pit area ratios and aspect ratios under the conditions of human walking. The results indicate that the tribological properties of the textured 316 L stainless steel are greatly correlated with surface roughness and wettability. Within the parameter range of this study, the friction of textured surfaces has been significantly reduced when the area ratio of micro-pits is 10% and the aspect ratio is 0.52. In addition, the anti-friction mechanism of textured surface is that micro-pits could store worn debris and provide secondary lubrication, and that many air bubbles between interfaces would enhance bearing capacity and interface slip when the material surface is hydrophobic.