Affiliations: Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering, School of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK | DePuy International Ltd, Leeds LS11 8DT, UK
Note: [] Corresponding author: Professor J. Fisher, School of Mechanical Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. Tel.: +44 113 233 2128; Fax: +44 113 242 4611; E‐mail: j.fisher@leeds.ac.uk.
Abstract: In metal on metal hip prostheses, the contact mechanics can influence the lubrication and wear rate. In particular, during the bedding‐in wear, the contact area gradually increases to an optimal value, and the wear rate reduces as the contact stress reduces and the lubrication conditions improve. Geometrical designs that reduce the volume of bedding‐in wear as the optimal contact area develops are preferable. The objective of this study was to analyse the wear volume as a function of contact area during the bedding‐in period, with the aim of identifying geometrical design configurations that give lower bedding‐in wear. As the radial clearance was reduced, the bedding‐in wear volume to reach an optimal contact area also reduced. For a fixed radial clearance, increasing the head diameter also reduced the bedding‐in wear volume.
Keywords: Hip prostheses, metal on metal, contact area, wear
