Ticona GUR

Under typical compaction pressures, the bulk density of UHMWPE powder is relatively high and the void content is low. Much of the final molded density can be reached by application of pressure alone. For example (13), UHMWPE powder cold pressed at 9 MPa attained a bulk density of 0.80 g/cm while the fused polymer density is 0.935 g/cm. Under typical commercial compaction pressures of 3-5 MPa, UHMWPE powder (e.g. Ticona GUR 4000 series) attains a bulk density of 0.60-0.65 g/cm. Once compacted, very little material melt flow is required to sinter the powder. The numerous particle to particle contact points of the compacted powder exhibit sufficient flow to achieve fusion after melting. Typical sintering pressures and temperatures for UHMWPE are 3-5 MPa and 180-220 °C respectively. 

Figure 7.19 Yield stress vs. temperature for Ticona GUR 4120—high bulk density, corrosion stabilized ultra high molecular weight PE resin [1].

Trade Name Synonyms Cadco UHMW [Cadillac Plastic Chem. http //www.cadillacplastlc.com] Hostalen EP 4450 t[Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GUR 812 t[Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GUR 4120 [Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GUR 4130 [Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GUR 4150 [Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GUR 5121 [Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GUR 5150 t[Ticona http //www.ticona.com] Hostalen GX 579 f [Ticona... 

Currently Ticona (Oberhausen, Germany) produces a Type 1 and Type 2 resin with the trade names of GUR 1020 and 1050, respectively. Before 2002, Basell Polyolefins (Wilmington, DE) produced a Type 3 resin with the 1900 trade name. This resin was discontinued in January 2002 and is no longer produced. Two orthopedic manufacturers have maintained large stockpiles of this resin. Therefore, orthopedic implants will continue to be fabricated from tiiis resin, af least in the near future. 

The orthopedics literature contains numerous references to different trade names for UHMWPE, which fall into two categories 1) GUR resins currently produced by Ticona and 2) the 1900 resins, previously produced by Basell. The UHMWPE grades currently used in the orthopedic industry are summarized in Table 2.2. 

Today, compression-molded sheets of GUR 1020 and 1050 are produced commercially by two companies (Perplas Medical and Poly Hi Solidur Meditech). Ticona stopped producing compression-molded UHMWPE in 1994. Perplas s molding facility is in England, whereas Poly Hi Solidur produces medical grade UHMWPE sheets in the United States and in Germany. 

GUR ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (PE-UHMW). Ticona 2010. 

Since 1960, GUR ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been manufactured by Ruhrchemie. In 1988, the company merged with Hoechst AG and in 1999 with Celanese AG, forming Ticona... 

Hostalen GUR, Polyethylene, UHMWPE, Ticona, Hostalen GUR Business Unit Hostalub, Wax-based lubricants, Oariant Corp.,... 

Celanese Hoechst (Ticona)/Hostalen, suspension Hostalen HD (HDPE and UV-stabilised), Hostapren (chlorinated PE), Hostalen GUR (for UHMWPE). 

Most recently, in 2009, Ticona introduced two new vitamin E-blended resins to the orthopedic community to improve the oxidation resistance of UHMWPE after irradiation. GUR 1020-E and 1050-E are blended with 1,000 ppm of the biocompatible antioxidant, vitamin E, but otherwise conform to the properties and processabihty of GUR 1020 and 1050. Further details about vitamin-E blended UHMWPE are summarized in Chapter 16. 

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