Stick-slip friction and wear of articular joints

• DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1222470110
• Publication Date: 2013-01-29T01:44:44Z
• Authors: Dong Woog Lee; Xavier Banquy; Jacob N. Israelac...
• Keywords: Cartilage, Articular; Friction; 621; 02 engineering and technology; Models, Biological; Biomechanical Phenomena; Weight-Bearing; Interferometry; Osteoarthritis; Humans; Joints; 0210 nano-technology

Significance The goal of this study was to use the Surface Forces Apparatus to examine the effects of slip-stick friction on cartilage surface morphology under different loading and sliding conditions. Different load and speed regimes were represented using friction maps that separated regimes of smooth and stick-slip sliding. The finding of this work is that damage generally occurs within the stick-slip regimes and is not directly related to the friction coefficient. Prolonged exposure of cartilage surfaces to stick-slip sliding resulted in a significant increase of surface roughness, indicative of severe morphological changes (damage) of the cartilage surfaces.