The Influence of Plastic Deformation Performed before and after Electron Beam Irradiation on the Morphology and Structural Properties of UHMWPE

摘要

The paper presents changes in UHMWPE morphology and structure caused by irradiation with an electron beam and plastic deformation. The input material consisted of two grades of polyethylene, i.e. GUR 1050 and GUR 1020 (Poly Hi Solidur Medi TECH), used for producing the bearing components of endoprostheses applied in total joint alloplasty. Tests involved three groups of samples: the ones subjected to modification through radiation (N) only, those modified by plastic deformation before (ON) and after (NO) irradiation with an electron beam (N). The obtained variants were subjected to comprehensive morphological and structural tests, which made it possible to document changes in the lamellar structure (SEM) and orientation of the crystalline structure (SAXS) as well as to determine the content of the crystalline phase (DSC) and to define crosslinking density.