Research on swing friction lubrication mechanisms and the fluid load support characteristics of PVA-HA composite hydrogel

Hydrogel has been extensively studied for use as articular cartilage. This study aims to investigate fluid load support mechanism of polyvinyl alcohol-hydroxyapatite composite hydrogel. Finite element method is used to study swing friction lubrication mechanism and fluid load support. The friction coefficient increases with contact load and swing angle. The fluid flow has an important effect on the fluid load support, which decreases with an increase in contact load and swing angle. The fluid load support is very high (85%), and the hydrogel has low friction coefficient. It exhibits biphasic and self-generating lubrication mechanism.