Mechanical performance of electron-beam-irradiated UHMWPE in vacuum and in air.
Ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was modified by a 5-MeV energy electron beam at different temperatures before, during, and after irradiation, both in air and in high vacuum. Wear resistance, hardness, and tensile strength of irradiated polyethylene were compared with those of untreated one. Physical analyses (like infrared spectroscopy and calorimetric analysis) were carried out to investigate about the changes in the material induced by irradiation. Experimental results suggested that structural changes (double bonds, crosslinks, and oxidized species formation) occur in the polymer depending on the environmental conditions of the irradiation. Mechanical behavior is related to the structural modifications. A temperature of 110 degrees C before, during, and after the in vacuum irradiation of UHMWPE produces a high amount of crosslinks and improves polymeric tensile and wear resistance, compared to that of the untreated material.
Visco
A M
AM
Industrial Chemistry and Materials Engineering Department, Engineering Faculty, University of Messina, Messina, Italy. avisco@unime.it
Torrisi
L
L
Campo
N
N
Emanuele
U
U
Trifirò
A
A
Trimarchi
M
M
D000388:Air; D008422:Materials Testing; D010084:Oxidation-Reduction; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013696:Temperature; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014618:Vacuum
D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene