Atomic Scale Origin of Metal Ion Release from Hip Implant Taper Junctions

Abstract: Millions worldwide suffer from arthritis of the hips, and total hip replacement is a clinically successful treatment for end‐stage arthritis patients. Typical hip implants incorporate a cobalt alloy (Co–Cr–Mo) femoral head fixed on a titanium alloy (Ti‐6Al‐4V) femoral stem via a Morse taper junction. However, fretting and corrosion at this junction can cause release of wear particles and metal ions from the metallic implant, leading to local and systemic toxicity in patients. This study is a multiscale structural‐chemical investigation, ranging from the micrometer down to the atomic scale, of the underlying mechanisms leading to metal ion release from such taper junctions. Correlative transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography reveals microstructural and compositional alterations in the subsurface of the titanium alloy subjected to in vitro gross‐slip fretting against the cobalt alloy. Even though the cobalt alloy is comparatively more wear‐resistant, changes in the titanium alloy promote tribocorrosion and subsequent degradation of the cobalt alloy. These observations regarding the concurrent occurrence of electrochemical and tribological phenomena are vital to further improve the design and performance of taper junctions in similar environments.

Location
Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
Extent
Online-Ressource
Language
Englisch

Bibliographic citation
Atomic Scale Origin of Metal Ion Release from Hip Implant Taper Junctions ; volume:7 ; number:5 ; year:2020 ; extent:10
Advanced science ; 7, Heft 5 (2020) (gesamt 10)

Creator
Balachandran, Shanoob
Zachariah, Zita
Fischer, Alfons
Mayweg, David
Wimmer, Markus A.
Raabe, Dierk
Herbig, Michael

DOI
10.1002/advs.201903008
URN
urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022062410510522978148
Rights
Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.
Last update
15.08.2025, 7:33 AM CEST

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Associated

  • Balachandran, Shanoob
  • Zachariah, Zita
  • Fischer, Alfons
  • Mayweg, David
  • Wimmer, Markus A.
  • Raabe, Dierk
  • Herbig, Michael

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