Output details

A study of the effect of model geometry and lubricant rheology upon the elastohydrodynamic lubrication performance of metal-on-metal hip joints

Metal-on-Metal (MOM) hip joints potentially offer extended implant life to many patients. However, generation of millions of (20-80) nm wear particles and release of large numbers of metal ions into the body have limited their use. This early elastohydrodynamic (EHL) analysis of (MOM) implants for average loads and speeds considered conjunction modelling and shear thinning features of synovial fluid. Minimum film thicknesses predictions for (MOM) hip joints of (30-50) nm were similar to the mean wear debris size, encouraging further development of the numerical procedures for combined squeeze and entraining motions. Dominant roles of component diameters and clearances were recognised.