In contact observation of model synovial fluid lubricating mechanisms
File(s)In Contact Observation final.pdf (1 MB)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Myant, CW
Cann, PME
Type
Journal Article
Abstract
This paper examines the fundamental mechanisms of synovial fluid lubrication in artificial joints. Film thickness measurements were made for bovine serum solutions in a model test device. In contact imaging was also carried out to aid interpretation of these results. The results indicated that two types of film are formed; a boundary layer of adsorbed protein molecules, which are augmented by a high-viscosity fluid film generated by hydrodynamic effects. The high-viscosity film is due to inlet aggregation of protein molecules forming a gel which is entrained into the contact preferentially at low speeds. As the speed increases this gel appears to shear thin, giving much lower lubricant film thickness. Results suggest that protein-containing fluids do not obey classical Newtonian EHL models. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Date Issued
2013-01-01
Date Acceptance
2012-04-26
ISSN
0301-679X
Publisher
Elsevier
Start Page
97
End Page
104
Journal / Book Title
Tribology International
Volume
63
Copyright Statement
© 2013, Elsevier. Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Subjects
Artificial hip joints
Boundary lubrication
Synovial fluid
Film thickness
Publication Status
Published