ULTRA HIGH MOLECULAR WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE WITH IMPROVED WEAR RESISTANCE AND MECHANICAL PROPERTIES FOR TOTAL JOINT IMPLANTS

摘要

@@First generation highly cross-linked ultra high molecular weight polyethylene made by radiation cross-linking and subsequent melting has been successful for joint implants because of their good wear resistance and oxidation stability.1 However, the strength and toughness were reduced, which caused early failure of the implants. Our aim was to improve both the wear resistance and toughness of UHMWPE for high demanding joint implants. We have advanced a method of high temperature melting to improve the plasticity and toughness at low expense of wear rate.2 Here, we further improve the wear resistance of these high temperature melted UHMWPE (HTM-PE) by radiation cross-linking. The improved mechanical properties of the HTM-PEs were expected to offset the loss in mechanical properties induced by subsequent radiation cross-linking.