Friction properties of the interface between porous-surfaced metals and tibial cancellous bone

Friction tests between cancellous bone cubes and porous-surfaced metal plates were conducted in order to determine the mechanical properties of the interface in a knee porous-surfaced metal implant. Bone specimens were obtained from fresh frozen amputated tibiae and three metal plates were chosen: titanium bead porous-surfaced, titanium fiber mesh porous-surfaced, and smooth stainless steel. Results show that the friction curve is highly nonlinear. Friction coefficients measured vary between 0.3 and 1.3. The friction coefficient of the interface is independent of the excision site of the bone cubes and of the magnitude of the rate of relative displacement at the interface. The friction coefficient appears to vary slightly with the normal contact pressure for all the metal surfaces. Both porous surfaces have statistically a higher friction coefficient than the smooth surface. This is likely due to the presence of surface asperities whereby the metal ploughs the bone surface. However, no significant differences is observed between bead and fiber mesh types.