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Tribological behavior of high-pressure torsion processed biodegradable pure Zn under dry and wet conditions

Asli Günay Bulutsuz (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Istanbul, Turkey)

Industrial Lubrication and Tribology

ISSN: 0036-8792

Article publication date: 24 March 2022

Issue publication date: 30 May 2022

98

Abstract

Purpose

Zn has been attracting increasing attention with its biological compatibility property as a degradable implant material. Besides mechanical properties, especially for bone implant applications, wear resistance is a crucial mechanical property. The purpose of this study is to investigate HPTed Zn samples’ tribological behavior under dry and simulated body fluid (SBF) lubrication conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

Pure Zn powders were consolidated via the high-pressure torsion (HPT) method with 1, 5 and 10 rotations. Cast pure Zn samples were used as the control group. The wear behavior of pure Zn samples was investigated under dry and SBF lubrication conditions with a ball-on testing method. The wear tracks were observed with a mechanical profilometer and scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Findings

The application of HPT not only improved the mechanical strength and degradation performance but also improved wear resistance. However, tests with SBF resulted in higher wear rates. Besides, SBF significantly masked the positive effect of HPT on the coefficient of friction (COF). Although with SBF tests, 10 HPT rotation samples resulted in the lowest wear width and volume.

Originality/value

The main originality of this study is to reveal the HPT process and SBF effects on the tribological behavior of pure Zn to observe their potential usage for bone implant applications.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The HPT process was carried out by the author at Darmstadt Technical University. Many thanks to Prof Dr Karsten Durst and Dr Enrico Bruder for the working environment they provided during the research. This work was supported by the Yildiz Technical University Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit under project number: FBA-2021-4162.

Citation

Günay Bulutsuz, A. (2022), "Tribological behavior of high-pressure torsion processed biodegradable pure Zn under dry and wet conditions", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 74 No. 5, pp. 542-549. https://doi.org/10.1108/ILT-09-2021-0366

Publisher

:

Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2022, Emerald Publishing Limited

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