Physical, Chemical, and Mechanical Properties of UHMWPE

Chapter 12 Physical, Chemical, and Mechanical Properties of UHMWPE... 

S. Spiegelberg. Characterization of Physical, Chemical, and Mechanical Properties of UHMWPE, in The UHMWPE Handbook, S. M. Kurtz (Ed.), Elsevier (2009). 

Polymers are widely used as implant materials because they have physical properties that are similar to those of natural tissues. Examples are long-term and shortterm implants such as blood vessels, heart valves, membranes, mesh prostheses, corneas, tracheal prostheses, dental materials, parts of the nose and ear, knee and hip joints, and others. The synthetic polymers used include polyethylene (PE), particularly ultrahigh molecular weight PE (UHMWPE), poly(ethylene terephthal-ate) (PET), poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE), polyurethane (PU), and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The necessary sterilization before implantation can be performed by y-irradiation, heat (steam), or chemical treatment (ethylene oxide), which should not cause any structural degradation of the polymers. Current challenges in research include the development of biomimetic materials that match both the mechanical and biological properties of their natural counterparts. 

This chapter begins with a review of other UHMWPE orthopedic implant surface modifications, the properties of HA, and the medical applications of HA. The synthesis and processing of UHMWPE/H A biomateiials is then described, followed by the chemical, physical, mechanical, and tribological characterization of the UHMWPE/HA biomaterials. Finally, the sterilization, biocompatibihty, and commerciah-zation of the UHMWPE/HA biomaterials are covered. 

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