Abstract
The relationship between the dissolved oxygen in lubricating liquid and the tribological characteristics of metal-on-metal artificial hip joints was investigated in this study. In a pin made from either a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloy or a carbon steel (S45C) sliding on the same material, a decrease in wear was often observed with the decrease in dissolved oxygen. This result cannot be explained by the traditional adhesion theory. Difference between the Co-Cr-Mo alloy and the carbon steel did not affect the wear reduction with decrease in oxygen concentration. Furthermore, the wear reduction with decrease in oxygen concentration could be observed in the distilled water.
