The mechanical and tribological properties of polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as an artificial cartilage were studied under water and\nbovine serum albumin-lubricated sliding conditions. The frictional properties of the polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel were investigated\nvia reciprocating frictional tests. The effect of surface mechanical deformation on the tribological properties of the\npolyvinyl alcohol hydrogel as an artificial cartilage was studied by concurrently recording the z-axis displacement and friction\ncoefficient time. Three different factors were chosen including load, speed, and lubrication. The results showed that the albumin\nsolution could reverse the trend in the coefficient of friction in tests at different loading levels. There was no improvement in the\nfriction condition in albumin at low speeds. However, when the speed was increased to 2 Hz, the coefficient of friction was\nsignificantly reduced. Wear testing was also conducted, and wear tracks were found on the sample surface. The results also\nshowed that even though the surface deformation could recover as the water phase of the porous structure recovered, the\ncoefficient of friction continued to increase simultaneously. This relationship between mechanical and frictional tests indicated\nthat biphasic lubrication effects may not be the only dominant factor underlying the excellent friction properties of polyvinyl\nalcohol hydrogel.
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