title: [Crosslinking modification of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene during joint arthroplasty].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the optimal condition of crosslinking modification of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) by gamma ray irradiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The hip and knee joint samples of UHMWPE were tested with regards to friction and wear performance at different doses of (60)Co radiation and heat treatment. And the optimal condition of crosslinking was determined by wear performance and physicochemical properties.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Under the condition of 75 kGy irradiation and 150 °C heat treatment, crosslinked UHMWPE showed the best performance. Acetabular sample wear rate decreased 63.24% and knee sample wear rate decreased 59.95% compared with conventional UHMWPE. The modified material had excellent mechanical properties of impact strength 83 kJ/m², tensile strength 50.32 MPa, yield strength 21.83 MPa and elongation at break 312%. Also the material showed excellent antifatigue and reliable chemical properties.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The optimal condition of crosslinking modification of UHMWPE is 75 kGy irradiation after 150 °C heat treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing 100191, China.
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.affiliation: Email: tianhua@bjmu.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Hua
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Caimei
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Gang
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D001178:Arthroplasty; D007719:Knee Joint; D011095:Polyethylenes; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes; C111601:ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene