In the present investigation, the tribological behavior of ultra-high molecular
weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated under dry, distilled
water and physiological saline lubricated conditions against a 316L stainless
steel disc. The effect of the applied load, sliding velocity as well as the
lubrication type on the coefficient of friction and the wear rate of UHMWPE
were investigated. The results revealed that the highest and lowest wear
rates of UHMWPE have been taken place under dry sliding and distilled
water lubrication, respectively. The steady-state friction coefficient in dry
sliding is about two times the value in saline, and about 3-4 times that in
distilled water.An artificial neural network (ANN) model for predicting the
effect of the applied load, the sliding speed and type of lubricant on wear
rate and the coefficient of friction of the UHMWPE was developed. It has
been observed that the experimental results coincided with ANNs results. |
