Strain-induced crystallization and orientation of vitamin E-blended ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.
The effects of vitamin E addition on the strain-induced crystallization and molecular chain orientation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) were examined in order to clarify the wear mechanism of vitamin E-blended UHMWPE in knee prostheses. The structure changes of vitamin E-blended UHMWPE before and after tensile strain were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and image correlation method. The vitamin E-blended UHMWPE exhibited lower strain-induced crystallization than virgin UHMWPE but a higher Ic value in Raman spectroscopic analysis. The vitamin E-blended UHMWPE also exhibited a larger percentage of negative areal dilatation under tensile strain. These results suggest that the addition of vitamin E to UHMWPE decreases the strain-induced crystallization and increases the strain-induced orientation of the molecular chains present in the amorphous phase.
Graduate School of Engineering, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Yasushi
Y
Okubo
Satoshi
S
Teramura
Yasuhito
Y
Niwa
Kento
K
Ibaraki
Koji
K
Murata
Suong-Hyu
SH
Hyon
Giuseppe
G
Pezzotti
Naohide
N
Tomita
D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D014810:Vitamin E / Q000737:chemistry*
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene; D014810:Vitamin E