Wear behavior of PAEK, poly(aryl-ether-ketone), under physiological conditions, outlooks for performing these materials in the field of hip prosthesis

This study is focused on performing tribological tests on new materials for orthopaedic implants applications, PAEK (poly aryl ether ketone) polymer group. The experiments were performed in physiological liquid, at 37 °C, for simulating the human body fluid. PAEKʹs tribological properties that are wear rate of polymers and wear mechanisms on common metallic alloys used as orthopaedic implants: Co–Cr, 316L SS and Ti–6Al–4V are compared to the gold standard used for hip joint prosthesis, the UHMWPE (ultra high molecular weight polyethylene) on the same metal alloys. PEEK (poly ether ether ketone) and PEKK (poly ether ketone ketone)/CF (carbon fibers) show the lowest wear rate on every counter metallic material; the system UHMWPE on any metal alloys exhibit the highest wear rate although having the lowest friction coefficient. From microscopic images and the evolution of the friction coefficient, a wear mechanism was suggested for each polymeric material.