BIO TRIBOLOGY

?Study of wear, friction and lubrication in relation to biological applications

?Includes bio-chemical and mechanical aspects in evaluation of properties

?Typically sliding abrasive wear phenomenon

?Typically submerged / wet tribological scenarios

?Gaining importance of materials for:

Safety

Patient health and safety, legal implications, …

Cost effectiveness

Better processes for cheaper materials, affordable end product, …

Longer life of components

Longer service life, increased convenience, …

?Increasing demand of better materials from Industry

?New materials Synthesis by Alloying, Mixing, Compositing and Surface Modification for friction and wear property modulation.

?New component designs Meet stringent demands on implant materials and their surfaces for optimum performance and long life.

?Limiting conditions Identification of limiting conditions to obtain best performance for wear and friction optimization.

APPLICATIONS

?Common implants include orthopedic devices such as:

total knee and hip joint replacements

spinal implants

bone fixators

cardiac implants such as artificial heart valves and pacemakers

?Material choices also must take into account:

biocompatibility with surrounding tissues

the environment and corrosion issues

friction and wear of the articulating surfaces

TYPICAL APPLICATION AREAS OF BIO TRIBOLOGY

?Development of bio compatible materials

Bone fixators

Materials for other general applications

?Evaluation of dental properties

Enamel

Dental implants

Brushing

Charecterization of visco elastic behavior of saliva, etc…

?Contact lens evaluation

Friction, lubricity

Dryness

3 body abrasion etc…

?Development of prosthetics

fatigue life determination

performance limits

optimum conditions for use, etc…

?Skin lotions

skin smoothness related to lower COF

material transfer in lipsticks, etc…

?Hair care

low friction for untangled hair

smooth and soft hair needs low friction, etc…