The aim of this study is to investigate the influences of deformation behavior on frictional properties of articular cartilage. The articular cartilage and PVA (Poly (vinyl alcohol)) hydrogel as artificial cartilage material were used as rubbing materials against glass plate for reciprocating friction test. Both cartilage and PVA hydrogel showed the time-dependent increase of friction coefficient and contact area, and cartilage showed low friction and the gradual increase of contact area compared to PVA hydrogel. However, after loading for 1h and unloading for 5 min, both cartilage and PVA hydrogel showed the insufficient recovery of deformation and increase of initial friction. These results indicated that the deformation behavior influences on the frictional behavior of articular cartilage.
