Effects of Surface Oxidation Treatment of Carbon Fibers on Biotribological Properties of CF/PEEK Materials

Carbon Fiber (CF) reinforced polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composite is one of the most promising implant biomaterials used in orthopedics. In this article, unfilled PEEK and CF/PEEK specimens were prepared by vacuum hot pressing method, and their tribological properties were evaluated by sliding against a cobalt-chromium-molybdenum (Co-Cr-Mo) alloy block. The influences of mass fraction of carbon fibers in CF/PEEK and the surface oxidation treatment of carbon fibers were explored. The results showed that the water contact angles on the surfaces of CF/PEEK specimens decreased, indicating that their surface wettability was improved. The hardness value of CF/PEEK was significantly improved, the friction coefficients of CF/PEEK were effectively reduced and its wear resistance was enhanced compared with unfilled PEEK. The leading effect on CF/PEEK tribological properties was the mass fraction of CF, followed by surface oxidation of CF, and the calf serum solution had better lubricity than that of saline and deionized water.