Investigation of Friction for Nanocoated and Uncoated Ti-6Al-4V Substrates via the Modified Pin-on-Disk Technique for Transfemoral Implants.

Background: Nanocoating of biomedical materials has emerged as a crucial emerging discipline, to enhance tribological behaviors, durability, and performance of materials.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the tribological characteristics of substrates coated with Hydroxyapatite (HAp) and Silica glass (SiO2).

Material and methods: In this experimental study, the substrates were Ti-6Al-4V, a widely used titanium alloy for osseointegration implants. The substrates were coated with 90% HAp and 10% SiO2 via the plasma cold spray technique. The friction examination was analyzed at room temperature and under the Simulated Body Fluid (SBF) condition using the pin-on-disc technique.

Results: The microstructural analysis confirmed the coated technique in producing a nano-sized layer. While the pin-on-disc test indicates that nanocoated Ti-6Al-4V specimens have a significantly higher average coefficient of friction than uncoated specimens, surface roughness is the primary contributor.

Conclusion: Through microstructure properties and tribological behavior, the coated alloy may provide a benefit in circumstances, in which lubrication availability is restricted or undesirable, such as when the implant comes into contact with the bone interface.