Frictional Properties of Polyvinyl Alcohol Hydrogel under Pseudo Synovial Fluid

Abstract

Polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) is proposed as a candidate material for an artificial cartilage. It is said that PVA-H is biocompatible material and is also said that fluid film lubrication is achieved by squeeze film effect because of the high moisture content. Consequently, PVA-H is expected to achieve low friction and to reduce wear of prosthesis simultaneously. According to our early study, the friction of PVA-H increases as the sliding cycles increase. In this study, friction experiment with intermittent loading system is conducted to clarify the effect of lubricant film between PVA-H and glass prism. The contact area between PVA-H and mating prism in lubricant is also estimated.