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PubMed2000

A tribological study of UHMWPE acetabular cups and polyurethane compliant layer acetabular cups.

A novel design of polyurethane compliant layer acetabular cup has been developed through a series of friction, creep and wear tests. Friction tests were initially conducted on ABG standard form, polyurethane acetabular cups and an ABG standard form, UHMWPE acetabular cup for comparison. The polyurethane cups showed lower friction than the UHMWPE cup with maximum friction factors between 0. 008 and 0.02 compared with 0.035 for the UHMWPE cup. This indicated that, in the polyurethane cups, more of the load across the joint was carried by the fluid entrapped in the joint space rather than with asperity contact, compared with the UHMWPE cup. The inherent compliance of the polyurethane is used to promote elasto-hydrodynamic lubrication. However, this compliance raised concerns over excessive creep, which may in turn adversely affect tribological performance. Therefore, creep tests were undertaken on the ABG standard form, polyurethane acetabular cups followed by further friction tests. Small amounts of creep occurred in the polyurethane cups at ambient temperature, which reduced the friction slightly (maximum friction factors of 0.009) due to increased conformity between the head and the cup. However, at 37 degrees C, greater creep occurred causing pinching of the femoral head by the acetabular cup resulting in lubricant starvation and higher friction (maximum friction factors of 0.035). The design of the polyurethane cups was subsequently modified to incorporate a flared rim to eliminate the possibility of fluid starvation through pinching. Creep in polyurethane acetabular cups is also affected by the method of fixation of the cups, due to the conformity with and the stiffness of the cup backing. Hence, a one-million-cycle wear test was performed on five ABG flared form, polyurethane acetabular cups on the Mk. I Durham Hip Joint Wear Simulator to evaluate the best method of fixation for the polyurethane cups. The smallest amount of penetration, due to creep and wear, was found with cement fixation (0.30 mm penetration with cement fixation, 0.44 mm with polyethylene holder mounting, and 0.52 mm with metal shell mounting). A 4. 25-million-cycle wear test was then conducted on a further five ABG flared form, polyurethane acetabular cups with cement fixation. Five ABG standard form, UHMWPE acetabular cups were also wear-tested to 5. 0-million cycles. The mean and standard error of the wear rate for the polyurethane cups were 14.1 +/- 4.3 mg/10(6) (12.0 +/- 3.6 mm(3)/10(6)), cycles compared with 44.8 +/- 3.4 mg/10(6) (48.2 +/- 3. 7 mm(3)/10(6)), cycles for the UHMWPE cups. This study showed that the novel polyurethane-compliant layer acetabular cup with cement fixation was tribologically superior to the ABG standard form UHMWPE design currently being used clinically.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed2005

Resistance to sliding with 3 types of elastomeric modules.

INTRODUCTION: Super Slick (TP Orthodontics, LaPorte, Ind), a polymeric-coated ligature, has recently been introduced to the orthodontic market. The manufacturer claims it will significantly reduce friction. The purposes of this study were to determine whether Super Slick modules show lower friction than round and rectangular modules and to put the frictional forces into perspective with a self-ligating bracket. METHODS: Maxillary premolar, stainless steel, self-ligating, and monocrystalline brackets with .022-in slots were used with straight lengths of .018-in and .019 x .025-in stainless steel wires. Buccal segment models were set up with 1 molar band and 2 premolar brackets for each test group: self-ligating brackets with the slide closed, self-ligating brackets with the slide open, and monocrystalline brackets. The latter 2 groups were tested with all 3 types of elastomeric module. Each setup was tested both under dry conditions and after soaking in a water bath for 1 hour. RESULTS: The self-ligating brackets demonstrated virtually zero friction with each combination of wire and environmental condition. When the different bracket and elastomeric module combinations were compared, significant differences were observed. In all but 2 combinations, round modules provided the least resistance to sliding and rectangular modules the greatest, with Super Slick modules in between the 2. The self-ligating bracket provided the least resistance to sliding of all the bracket/ligation combinations and almost entirely eliminated friction under the conditions of this experiment. CONCLUSIONS: Super Slick modules demonstrated greater resistance to sliding than conventional round modules, but not rectangular. Self-ligating brackets provided the least resistance to sliding of all bracket/ligation combinations and were the only method that almost entirely eliminated friction. The .018-in and .019 x .025-in wires exhibited similar friction in the dry state, but, when wet, the .018-in wire produced less friction. Ceramic brackets demonstrated greater resistance to sliding than stainless steel brackets. Lubrication reduced the friction with .018-in wires and increased it for .019 x .025-in wires.

Ceramics↗
PubMed2005

Monte Carlo calibration of avalanches described as Coulomb fluid flows.

The idea that snow avalanches might behave as granular flows, and thus be described as Coulomb fluid flows, came up very early in the scientific study of avalanches, but it is not until recently that field evidence has been provided that demonstrates the reliability of this idea. This paper aims to specify the bulk frictional behaviour of snow avalanches by seeking a universal friction law. Since the bulk friction coefficient cannot be measured directly in the field, the friction coefficient must be calibrated by adjusting the model outputs to closely match the recorded data. Field data are readily available but are of poor quality and accuracy. We used Bayesian inference techniques to specify the model uncertainty relative to data uncertainty and to robustly and efficiently solve the inverse problem. A sample of 173 events taken from seven paths in the French Alps was used. The first analysis showed that the friction coefficient behaved as a random variable with a smooth and bell-shaped empirical distribution function. Evidence was provided that the friction coefficient varied with the avalanche volume, but any attempt to adjust a one-to-one relationship relating friction to volume produced residual errors that could be as large as three times the maximum uncertainty of field data. A tentative universal friction law is proposed: the friction coefficient is a random variable, the distribution of which can be approximated by a normal distribution with a volume-dependent mean.

Complex Mixtures↗
PubMed2001

[An investigation of the bio-tribological performance of diamond-like carbon/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene couple].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the friction property of diamond-like carbon (DLC) film/Ti6Al4V gradient material sliding against UHMWPE couple. METHOD: Tests of this couple were made under dry sliding and lubrication of Hank's solution and 0.9% NaCl solution respectively, and they were compared with the friction property of Ti6Al4V sliding against UHMWPE couple. The tests were performed on an SRV friction and wear tester by means of surface-contact and coefficients of friction were recorded real-time. RESULT: DLC film could reduce the friction coefficient evidently. The coefficients of friction reduced 24%, 5.0%, 10% than these of Ti6Al4V under dry sliding and lubrication of Hank's solution and 0.9% NaCl solution respectively. Mechanism of friction was also studied by observing scanning electrical microscopy (SEM) morphology of frictional surfaces. CONCLUSION: Friction-reduction mechanism of DLC film/Ti6Al4V could be resulted from amorphous structure of DLC film which was smooth and hard.

Biocompatible Materials↗
PubMed1997

Interactive edgewise mechanisms: form and function comparison with conventional edgewise brackets.

As the frequency of use of the interactive twin (I-twin) edgewise mechanisms and techniques become increasingly prevalent, it is important to consider how they compare with conventional twin (c-twin) edgewise bracket systems. Optimum intrabracket and interbracket forces in I-twins balance with capillary blood pressures. An unbiased, experimental in vitro, scanning electromicroscopy and in vivo clinical investigation of 83 patients was conducted to compare the frictional resistance of three different I-twin bracket systems, type A (Sigma, American Orthodontics), type B (Interactwin, Ormco Corp.), and type C (Damon, A-company) with three c-twins counterparts respectively types D, E, and F. The three interactive twin brackets were each self-seating by an integrated arm component and made significant incremental improvements to the conventional twins in three different ways. First, the I-twin types reduced frictional resistance by using arm engagement with a lower coefficient of friction and a reduced seating force against the arch wire. The reduced seating force friction produced initially small interbracket arch wire deflections for biocompatible tooth movement and, combined with a wide twin bracket, produced accurate rotation corrections. Reduced friction within the I-twin bracket consequently permitted the effective use of light forces for flowing biomechanics that maximized anchorage. In evaluating friction, two distinctly different interaction forces acting to seat the arch wire were also identified. Type A demonstrated active interaction with round arch wires that resulted in a low functional seating force responsible for early and complete tooth control in comparison to the high seating force of c-twins. Types B and C both showed passive interaction with seating force friction approximately equal to zero that required large rectangular dimension arch wires for full bracket expression. Second, a significant reduction in the time taken to change arch wires was found, improving clinical time management. Third, I-twins assisted bracket placement with both center-slot identification markers and coordinated bracket and bonding pad reference planes in three dimensions. In addition, they improved bracket hygiene compared with c-twins by minimizing the use of plaque-retentive conventional ligatures. Despite the reduced elastomer use, experimental and clinical results showed I-twins effectively conserved the traditional four tie-wing design for ease of colored elastomer placement where an increase in friction for anchorage was selectively required and to enhance patient acceptance and motivation. Finally, interactive twins could be used by the practitioner as conventional twins without the interactive arms making them fail-safe.

Biomechanical Phenomena↗
PubMed2003

Tribological testing of skin products: gender, age, and ethnicity on the volar forearm.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Few studies have focused on the simultaneous measurement of the friction and electrical properties of skin. This work investigates the feasibility of using these measurements to differentiate between the effects of chemicals commonly applied to the skin. In addition, this study also compares the condition of the skin and its response to application of chemicals across gender, ethnicity, and age at the volar forearm. METHOD: Friction and electrical tests were performed on 59 healthy volunteers with the UMT Series Micro-Tribometer (UMT). A 13-mm-diameter copper cylindrical friction/electrical probe was pressed onto the skin with a weight of 20 g and moved across the skin at a constant velocity of 0.4 mm/s. Each volunteer served as his or her own control. The friction and electrical impedance measurements were performed for polyvinylidene chloride occlusion and for the application of glycerin and petrolatum. RESULTS: No differences were found across age, gender, or ethnicity at the volar forearm. Polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC) occlusion showed a small increase in the friction and a small decrease in the electrical impedance; petrolatum increased the friction by a greater amount but its effect on the impedance was comparable to PVDC occlusion; glycerin increased the friction by an amount comparable to petrolatum, but it decreased the impedance to a much greater degree than petrolatum or the PVDC occlusion. An amplitude/mean measurement of the friction curves of glycerin and petrolatum showed that glycerin has a significantly higher amplitude/mean than petrolatum. CONCLUSION: The properties of the volar forearm appear to be independent of age, gender, and ethnicity. Also, the simultaneous measurement of friction and electrical impedance was useful in differentiating between compounds administered to the skin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Differences in the response of rodent oral mucosa and skin to repeated surface trauma.

The responses of oral mucosa and skin to daily application of controlled frictional stimuli were compared. In some respects, the epithelia of both oral mucosa and skin showed similar responses: Low levels of friction resulted in epithelial thickening, and higher levels resulted in ulceration. The mucosa, however, ulcerated more readily and, unlike the skin, failed to heal if friction was reapplied. The histologic appearance of the ulcers so produced was essentially similar to that of denture-induced traumatic ulcers. Healing of ulcerated skin was associated with the formation of a hard surface scab which protected the underlying healing tissues from further frictional damage. A similar protective scab was not formed over mucosal lesions, and a thickened epithelium resistant to further frictional damage was not re-formed. The low resistance of the oral mucosa to friction and its failure to heal if friction is reapplied suggest that an analogy between the responses to friction of oral mucosa and the skin does not form a sound basis for clinical therapy.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Molecular-scale tribology of amorphous carbon coatings: effects of film thickness, adhesion, and long-range interactions.

Classical molecular dynamics simulations have been conducted to investigate the atomic-scale friction and wear when hydrogen-terminated diamond (111) counterfaces are in sliding contact with diamond (111) surfaces coated with amorphous, hydrogen-free carbon films. Two films, with approximately the same ratio of sp(3)-to-sp(2) carbon, but different thicknesses, have been examined. Both systems give a similar average friction in the load range examined. Above a critical load, a series of tribochemical reactions occur resulting in a significant restructuring of the film. This restructuring is analogous to the "run-in" observed in macroscopic friction experiments and reduces the friction. The contribution of adhesion between the probe (counterface) and the sample to friction was examined by varying the saturation of the counterface. Decreasing the degree of counterface saturation, by reducing the hydrogen termination, increases the friction. Finally, the contribution of long-range interactions to friction was examined by using two potential energy functions that differ only in their long-range forces to examine friction in the same system.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2004

Influence of additive hyaluronic acid on the lubricating ability in the temporomandibular joint.

In synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid (HA) is an essential component for the lubrication of joints, thus preventing friction. The relationship between HA and joint friction is not unambiguously established yet. In the present study, the effect of the application of HA on the frictional coefficient in the temporomandibular joint was evaluated. After measuring the frictional coefficient in intact porcine joints (n = 10), the subsequent effect of phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) washing and gauze scouring and the application of HA was examined. Compared with the intact joint, the frictional coefficient was significantly larger after PBS washing and gauze scouring. Subsequent application of HA resulted in a significant decrease (50-75%) of the frictional coefficient. However, it did not recover to the same value as in the intact joints. Observations by scanning electron microscopy showed that after PBS washing, the amorphous layer of the articular cartilage was still intact, whereas it was partially collapsed after gauze scouring. In conclusion, the addition of HA did reduce the coefficient of friction under the experimental conditions in this study; the relevance to the clinical condition and the duration of the treatment effect in vivo require further investigation.

Algorithms↗
PubMed2005

Improvement of arthroscopic cartilage stiffness probe using amorphous diamond coating.

During arthroscopic evaluation of articular cartilage unstable contact and even slipping of the measurement instrument on the tissue surface may degrade the reproducibility of the measurement. The main aim of the present study was to achieve more stable contact by controlling the friction between articular cartilage surface and the arthroscopic cartilage stiffness probe (Artscan 200, Artscan Oy, Helsinki, Finland) using amorphous diamond (AD) coating. In order to obtain surfaces with different average roughnesses (R(a)), polished stainless steel disks were coated with AD by using the filtered pulsed arc-discharge (FPAD) method. Dynamic coefficient of friction (mu) between the articular cartilage (n = 8) and the coated plates along one non-coated plate was then determined. The friction between AD and cartilage could be controlled over a wide range (mu = 0.027-0.728, p < 0.05, Wilcoxon test) by altering the roughness. Possible deterioration of cartilage was investigated by measuring surface roughness after friction tests and comparing it with the roughness of the adjacent, untested samples (n = 8). Importantly, even testing with the roughest AD (R(a) = 1250 nm) did not damage articular surface. On the basis of the friction measurements, a proper AD coating was selected for the stiffness probe. The performance of coated and non-coated probe was compared by measuring bovine osteochondral samples (n = 22) with both instruments. The reproducibility of the stiffness measurements was significantly better with the AD-coated probe (CV% = 4.7) than with the uncoated probe (CV% = 8.2). To conclude, AD coating can be used to safely control dynamic friction with articular surface. Sufficient friction between articular surface and reference plate of the arthroscopic probe improves significantly reproducibility of the stiffness measurements.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Melt pelletization with polyethylene glycol in a rotary processor.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the airflow, the binder concentration, the massing time, the friction plate rotation speed, and the surface structure of the friction plate on melt pelletization in a laboratory scale rotary processor. Lactose monohydrate was melt agglomerated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) 3000 as meltable binder. The study was performed as a full factorial design. An increase in agglomerate size was found when the binder concentration, the massing time, or the friction plate rotation speed was increased. The agglomerate size was also increased when increasing the shearing forces by using a friction plate with a different surface structure. The size distribution of the agglomerates was significantly narrowed when the binder concentration or the shearing forces caused by the friction plate were increased. An increase in the adhesion of material to the friction plate was found when the shearing forces of the friction plate were increased either by the rotation speed or by the surface structure. Generally, the rotary processor was found to be a suitable alternative to melt pelletization in a high shear mixer.

Adhesiveness↗
PubMed2004

Experimental verification of the role of interstitial fluid pressurization in cartilage lubrication.

The objective of the current study was to measure the friction coefficient simultaneously with the interstitial fluid load support in bovine articular cartilage, while sliding against glass under a constant load. Ten visually normal 6-mm-diameter cartilage plugs harvested from the humeral head of four bovine shoulder joints (ages 2-4 months) were tested in a custom friction device under reciprocating linear motion (range of translation +/-2 mm; sliding velocity 1 mm/s), subjected to a 4.5 N constant load. The frictional coefficient was found to increase with time from a minimum value of mu min=0.010+/-0.007 (mean+/-SD) to a maximum value of 0.243+/-0.044 over a duration ranging from 920 to 19,870 s (median: 4,560 s). The corresponding interstitial fluid load support decreased from a maximum of 88.8+/-3.8% to 8.7+/-8.6%. A linear correlation was observed between the frictional coefficient and interstitial fluid load support (r2=0.96+/-0.03). These results support the hypothesis that the temporal variation of the frictional coefficient correlates negatively with the interstitial fluid load support and that consequently interstitial fluid load support is a primary mechanism regulating the frictional response in articular cartilage. Fitting the experimental data to a previously proposed biphasic boundary lubrication model for cartilage yielded an equilibrium friction coefficient of mu eq=0.284+/-0.044. The fraction of the apparent contact area over which the solid cartilage matrix was in contact with the glass slide was predicted at phi s=1.7+/-6.3%, significantly smaller than the solid volume fraction of the tissue, phi s=13.8+/-1.8%. The model predictions suggest that mixed lubrication prevailed at the contact interface under the loading conditions employed in this study.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

The validity and reliability of a portable slip meter for determining floor slipperiness during simulated heel strike.

A previously developed test rig was used as starting point for designing a portable slip meter with two new features. First, an inflatable pneumatic test wheel, consisting of six slider units, was introduced as the impacting contact element relative to floor surface. Second, an inductive trigger was built into the system to facilitate a precise timing of the slider-floor contact during the test. This new test rig was designed to measure transitional friction properties of contaminated floor surfaces during simulated heel strike, which is considered the most critical phase of gait from the slip and fall point of view. Another objective was to quantify the validity and reliability of this test method in the laboratory, but not yet in the field. The measurement process was evaluated on eight wet and oily floor surfaces (vinyl and ceramic tile floorings) using two slider materials (plain, profiled), two normal loads (100, 200 N), and two sliding velocities (0.15, 0.30 m/s) as independent variables. The outputs of the portable slip meter, in terms of transitional friction coefficients, were compared to force platform-based friction values and to slip resistance values obtained with a slip simulator apparatus for laboratory testing of shoes and floor surfaces. The outputs were also evaluated against slipperiness ratings made by three male subjects in paired comparison trials, in which the subjects walked over eight wet floor surfaces wearing shoes with the plain soling material. The results showed that test option 200 N and 0.15m/s led to optimum validity despite its tendency to promote frictional vibrations (stick-slip) in the contact surface. Compared to the lower sliding speed, the higher speed reduced both stick-slip and measurement bias. Test option 200 N and 0.30 m/s was the most reliable one in this experiment. It yielded lower friction coefficients than any other test option and reduced the likelihood of underestimating slip and fall hazards. The results implied that the minimum friction coefficient was 0.25 for preventing a fall on wet floor surfaces, whereas the limit for preventing a slip was in the range 0.30-0.35. Transitional friction measurement was found to be a valid and reliable indicator for slip resistance. A more accurate control of the normal force during testing is needed for actual field use of the test method.

Accidental Falls↗
PubMed2005

Nanotribology of ethers: effects of molecular asymmetry and fluoroalkyl chains.

The tribological properties of the molecularly thin films of asymmetric ether (1,3-dimethylbutyl octyl ether, AE) and fluorinated asymmetric ether (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl-1,3-dimethylbutyl ether, FAE) were investigated. Friction forces and dynamic thicknesses (thicknesses during sliding) were simultaneously measured using the surface forces apparatus, and the effects of molecular asymmetry and fluoroalkyl chains on the friction properties are analyzed. The friction forces (both kinetic and static) and dynamic thicknesses are larger for the AE film than for the FAE film. The two ethers exhibit stick-slip friction at low sliding velocity, but the stick-slip patterns are different. For the AE film, one stick-slip cycle consists of two or more spikes; a large spike is followed by one or more small spike(s) in the cycle. On the other hand, regular stick-slip spikes are observed for the FAE film. The results suggest that the responsible friction mechanisms are completely different between the two ether films. The asymmetric shape of the AE molecule results in a variety of shear-ordered liquid structures in confinement, and the friction (stick-slip) behavior follows the "phase-transition model". In contrast, the FAE molecule is rigid, and the shape of the molecule is rather close to a symmetric cylinder, which leads to a well-ordered two-layer film in confinement. The each molecular layer is strongly adsorbed on adjacent mica substrate and behaves as a fluorinated coating. The friction is governed by the molecular scale "bumpiness" of the fluoroalkyl chains lying on mica surfaces and basically follows the "cobblestone model". The advantage of the thin FAE film as a practical lubricant is also discussed.

Alkanes↗
PubMed2002

Resistance to sliding of stainless steel multistranded archwires and comparison with single-stranded leveling wires.

The sliding mechanics of multistranded stainless steel (SS) wires were compared with single-stranded leveling wires in the passive and the active regions when dominated by classical friction and elastic binding, respectively. Tests were done under both dry and wet (human saliva) conditions. The round multistranded wires had 3- (triple) and 6-stranded (coax) configurations in nominal sizes of 15.5, 17.5, 19.5, and 21.5 mil; the rectangular wires had 3- (rect3) and 8-stranded (rect8) configurations in nominal sizes of 16 x 16, 16 x 22, 17 x 25, and 19 x 25 mil. While a ligature force of 150 g was applied and the second-order angulation was varied from -12 degrees to 12 degrees, each wire was translated relative to its bracket as the drawing force was digitally recorded. Linear regressions were fitted separately to the passive and the active regions. In the passive region, the kinetic coefficients of friction mu(k-FR) in the wet state were the same as, lower than, and higher than in the dry state for single-stranded SS, single-stranded nickel titanium (NiTi), and multistranded SS wires, respectively. Because the kinetic coefficients of friction were similar for multistranded and single-stranded SS wires, mu(k-FR) is a material property for SS and perhaps also for NiTi. In the active region, the frictional behaviors of multistranded SS wires compared with other leveling archwires are as follows: (1) coax wires had low friction, (2) triple and rect8 wires had midrange friction, and (3) rect3 wires had high friction. The coefficients of binding (mu(BI)) were not affected by saliva and were proportional to the wire stiffnesses. The resistance to sliding depended on wire stiffnesses to the extent that the differences in the mu(k-FR)'s of SS versus NiTi became unimportant shortly after binding occurred.

Dental Stress Analysis↗
PubMed2001

Use of 'chalk' in rock climbing: sine qua non or myth?

Magnesium carbonate, or 'chalk', is used by rock climbers to dry their hands to increase the coefficient of friction, thereby improving the grip of the holds. To date, no scientific research supports this practice; indeed, some evidence suggests that magnesium carbonate could decrease the coefficient of friction. Fifteen participants were asked to apply a force with the tip of their fingers to hold a flattened rock (normal force), while a tangential force pulled the rock away. The coefficient of friction--that is, the ratio between the tangential force (pulling the rock) and the normal force (applied by the participants)--was calculated. Coating (chalk vs no chalk), dampness (water vs no water) and rock (sandstone, granite and slate) were manipulated. The results showed that chalk decreased the coefficient of friction. Sandstone was found to be less slippery than granite and slate. Finally, water had no significant effect on the coefficient of friction. The counter-intuitive effect of chalk appears to be caused by two independent factors. First, magnesium carbonate dries the skin, decreasing its compliance and hence reducing the coefficient of friction. Secondly, magnesium carbonate creates a slippery granular layer. We conclude that, to improve the coefficient of friction in rock climbing, an effort should be made to remove all particles of chalk; alternative methods for drying the fingers are preferable.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

A comparison of self-ligating and conventional orthodontic bracket systems.

This ex-vivo study compared the static frictional resistance of three self-ligating brackets with a conventional steel-ligated Ultratrimm bracket. The effects of archwire size (0.020, 0.019 x 0.025 and 0.021 x 0.025-inch), bracket/archwire angulation (0, 5 and 10 degrees) and the presence of unstimulated human saliva were investigated. The study demonstrated that both increases in wire size and bracket/archwire angulation resulted in increased static frictional resistance for all bracket types tested, with the presence of saliva having an inconsistent effect. Mobil-Lock Variable-Slot had the least friction for all wires for 0 degree angulation. However, with the introduction of angulation, the values were comparable to those of the other brackets. Activa brackets had the second lowest frictional resistance, although high values were found with 0.019 x 0.025-inch wires. SPEED brackets demonstrated low forces with round wires, although with rectangular wires or in the presence of angulation, friction was greatly increased. Ultratrimm brackets produced large individual variation, confirming the difficulty in standardizing ligation force, although under certain conditions, significantly larger frictional forces were observed. In conclusion, self-ligating brackets showed reduced frictional resistance in comparison to steel ligated brackets only under certain conditions.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

An investigation into the behavioural characteristics of orthodontic elastomeric modules.

The object of the study was to investigate the behavioural characteristics of orthodontic elastomeric modules with regard to their effect on frictional resistance and their failure load forces, and involved the use of an experimental laboratory-based study. Six cohorts were assembled employing five types of module and two bracket types. Straight lengths of 0.018 x 0.025-inch stainless steel were pulled through the ligated brackets and frictional resistance was measured using an Instron universal testing machine. Recordings were repeated over a 4-week period, during which time the cohorts were placed in a simulated oral environment. Failure load forces of new and used modules were also recorded, and frictional resistance and failure load forces. Analysis of variance revealed that the Minitwin cohort exhibited significantly higher frictional resistance and that the clear modules demonstrated the lowest levels of friction. Time soaked in a simulated oral environment had a variable effect on frictional resistance. A wide range of failure load forces was seen for the five types of module and all types showed a reduction in failure load force following their soaking in the simulated oral environment. There was variation in performance of the different modules both in friction testing and failure load testing.

Analysis of Variance↗