Journal
JOURNAL OF ARTHROPLASTY
Volume 16, Issue 2, Pages 149-160Publisher
CHURCHILL LIVINGSTONE INC MEDICAL PUBLISHERS
DOI: 10.1054/arth.2001.20540
Keywords
cross-linking; ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene; wear; oxidation resistance; mechanical properties
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Increasing cross-linking has been shown in vitro and in vivo to improve markedly the wear resistance of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). The reduction in the mechanical properties of polyethylene under certain methods used to produce cross-linking has been a concern, however. These reductions are known to result from the processes used to increase the cross-link density and could affect the device performance in vivo. We present a novel method of increasing the cross-link density of UHMWPE in which UHMWPE is irradiated in air at art elevated temperature with a high-dose-rate electron beam and subsequently is melt-annealed. This treatment improves markedly the wear resistance of the polymer as tested in a hip simulator, while maintaining the mechanical properties of the material within national and international standards. This method leads to the absence of delectable free radicals in the polymer and, as a result, excellent resistance to oxidation of the polymer.
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