Tribological properties of Ti-based alloys in a simulated bone-implant interface with Ringer's solution at fretting contacts.

The wear properties of oxidized and non-oxidized gamma-TiAl (a potential biomaterial) as well as Ti-6Al-4V and CP-Ti disks were studied and characterized by means of standard wear tests using a custom made bone pin arrangement. The Ti-based disks were oxidized in air at 500 and 800 degrees C for one hour. The tribological properties of the oxides formed over the disks were studied using a linear reciprocating wear testing machine under both dry and simulated biological conditions using Ringer's solution.