Abstract
The biocompatible metals made available for powder injection moulding (PIM) are increasing, and as a result, the PIM process is becoming attractive for manufacturers of medical implants and surgical instruments. In addition, friction and wear properties play an important role in biomaterial applications. This study aimed to systematically investigate the fretting wear properties of 316L stainless steel parts produced by PIM under dry contact conditions. The fretting experiments were performed under gross – slip regime. The influence of a number of fretting test parameters on the friction and wear behaviour was investigated, as the contact frequency, the normal load, and number of reciprocating sliding cycles. Fretting tests were performed against corundum counter bodies. After the tests, the wear scars were examined by laser surface profilometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-Ray microanalysis. The results indicate that wear occurred predominantly by abrasion, plastic deformation, and cracking.

Key words
fretting, stainless steel, powder injection moulding, biomaterials

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