Analytical and Computational Sliding Wear Prediction of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) in Block-on-Ring (BOR) Tribometer
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In knee joint replacement, wear of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) can be a significant factor in shortening the implant life span. With advancements in computational technology, virtual testing has become more reliable at a lower cost compared to physical testing. This paper evaluates the wear coefficient, kD, from physical tests as a reliable predictor of wear volume in the computational method. The physical test run with a block-on-ring (BOR) configuration of UHMWPE on a steel counterface with 225N load for wear coefficient, kD acquisition and 130N load for computational prediction validation using the same wear coefficient, kD. The computational methodology involved the use of an Abaqus solver incorporating the UMESHMOTION subroutine to implement Archard's law. The maximum FEA result error was 14% in the 225N load test, and FEA prediction for the 130N load test was 17%. The results show that the wear coefficient,kD produced by coupling UMESHMOTION in the computational method, is reliable for predicting wear volume in BOR physical test.