title: Processing of hydroxyapatite reinforced ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene for biomedical applications.
abstract: A new method for processing hydroxyapatite/ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (HA/UHMWPE) composite has been developed by combining wet ball milling and swelling. Sintered HA particles were ground in ethanol to approximately 50 nm in diameter. The nano-sized HA particles were mechanically mixed with UHMWPE in the ball mill and then compression molded into solid slabs. The slabs were then swollen in a pharmaceutical grade paraffin oil to enhance the UHMWPE chain mobility and HA/UHMWPE interface adhesion before final hot press. The resultant composite exhibits a two-zone network structure formed by a homogeneous HA-rich phase and a UHMWPE-rich phase. This process resulted in a 90% increase in Young's modulus and a 50% increase in the yield strength of HA/UHMWPE composite, comparing with those of unfilled UHMWPE.
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.
authors.forename: Liming
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Leng
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gao
mesh_terms: D001698:Biomedical Engineering / Q000379:methods; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D019245:Compressive Strength; D017886:Durapatite / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D018786:Bone Substitutes; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D017886:Durapatite