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Updated: Jul 23, 2026
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Potentiodynamic Corrosion Testing
Published on: September 4, 2016
Surface composition analysis of failed cementless CoCr- and Ti-base-alloy total hip implants
Summary
Surface analysis of failed hip implants revealed a dense carbon layer. Inconsistent material distribution in titanium and aluminum inclusions in cobalt-chromium alloys may contribute to implant failure.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Materials Engineering
Background:
- Cementless total hip implants are widely used but can fail.
- Understanding implant surface composition is crucial for failure analysis.
- Cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (CoCrMo) and titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) alloys are common implant materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the surface composition of retrieved failed cementless total hip implants.
- To compare the surface characteristics of failed implants with new ones.
- To identify potential material-related factors contributing to early implant failure.
Main Methods:
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface morphology.
- Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for elemental composition.
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for surface chemistry.
Main Results:
- A dense carbon layer was detected on all analyzed implant surfaces.
- Ti-6Al-4V alloy implants showed generally consistent composition with standards, but inhomogeneous distribution in MEC-screw rings.
- CoCrMo alloy components (Lord-screw rings) exhibited high aluminum content, often in inclusions, in both new and retrieved implants.
Conclusions:
- Surface analysis revealed a consistent carbon layer across implants.
- Inhomogeneities in Ti-6Al-4V and aluminum inclusions in CoCrMo alloys are present in new and failed implants.
- These material inconsistencies may be linked to the high early failure rates observed in specific implant designs.
