title: Improved resistance to wear and fatigue fracture in high pressure crystallized vitamin E-containing ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene.
abstract: Higher crystallinity and extended chain morphology are induced in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in the hexagonal phase at temperatures and pressures above the triple point, resulting in improved mechanical properties. In this study, we report the effects of the presence of a plasticizing agent, namely vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), in UHMWPE during high pressure crystallization. We found that this new vitamin E-blended and high pressure crystallized UHMWPE (VEHPE) has improved fatigue strength and wear resistance compared to virgin high pressure crystallized (HP) UHMWPE. This suggested different mechanisms of wear reduction and fatigue crack propagation resistance in UHMWPE.
authors.affiliation: Massachusetts General Hospital, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Boston, MA 02114, USA.
authors.forename: Ebru
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oral
authors.forename: Christine A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Godleski Beckos
authors.forename: Andrew J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Lozynsky
authors.forename: Arnaz S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Malhi
authors.forename: Orhun K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Muratoglu
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry; D002152:Calorimetry, Differential Scanning; D003460:Crystallization; D008422:Materials Testing; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D014810:Vitamin E