Effect of temperature on UHMWPE and VEXLPE friction and wear against CoCr in noncyclic tests

In prosthetic joints, frictional heating may cause protein denaturation in synovial fluid which affect its lubrication properties. arthroplasty, conventional ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is being gradually replaced by vitamin E stabilized, extensively cross-linked UHMWPE (VEXLPE) with a superior combination of wear and oxidation resistance. There scarcity literature on vs.VEXLPE friction. A noncyclic, single-station friction measurement device, the Friction RandomPOD, was recently introduced. The direction sliding, velocity, acceleration, load varied randomly within certain, biomechanically justified limits. coefficient based three-axial cell. order to increase testing capacity, number test stations now increased 4 using similar cells. One-week tests were performed pins made VEXLPE against CoCr calf serum at °C, 20 °C 37 °C. lower temperatures included prevent or retard denaturation. lowest observed At this temperature, mean 55% than that UHMWPE. always