Although polyethylene wear particles have been implicated in osteolysis and implant loosening, this study is the first to test whether chemical eluates extracted from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) could also be involved in this process. Eluates were prepared from UHMWPE bar stock and examined for their effects on (3)H-thymidine incorporation by human foreskin fibroblasts gro...

Nanometre-sized particles of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene have been identified in the lubricants retrieved from hip simulators. Tissue samples were taken from seven failed Charnley total hip replacements, digested using strong alkali and analysed using high-resolution field emission gun-scanning electron microscopy to determine whether nanometre-sized particles of polyethylene debri...

In this study the friction, wear and surface mechanical behavior of medical-grade ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) (GUR 1050 resin) were evaluated as a function of polymer crystallinity. Crystallinity was controlled by heating UHMWPE to a temperature above its melting point and varying the hold time and cooling rates. The degree of crystallinity of the samples was evaluated usi...

Measurements are reported for the compressive response of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres and laminated composites loaded along the fibre direction. The compressive strength of the fibres was measured by both recoil tests and knot (or bend) tests. The strength of the fibres is governed by micro-kinking of the fibrils within the fibres. The recoil tests suggest that this...

It is well established that the total protein concentration and albumin-to-globulin ratio influence the wear of ultra-high molecular polyethylene (UHMWPE, "polyethylene") in joint prostheses. A factor on wear not yet studied, but of possible clinical relevance, is protein cleavage. Such cleavage is expected in the presence of an inflammatory response and as a result of wear processes at the art...

The average life span of knee prosthesis used in Total Knee Replacement (TKR) is approximately 10 to 15 years. Literature indicates that the reasons for implant failures include wear, infection, instability, and stiffness. However, the majority of failures are due to wear and tear of the prosthesis. The most common biopolymer used in TKR  is Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE). Pr...

Abstract Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene unidirectional fabric (hereinafter referred to as UHMWPE UD fabric) composite material is a ballistic with excellent performance. Aiming improve the property of composite, this paper introduces new trends both in fiber broadening technology and resin system; view low heat resistance poor fabric, application development functionalized are discuss...

Delamination is a common failure mechanism in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) tibial inserts [Wright and Rimmnac, 1988]. Changes in polyethylene mechanical properties, such as subsurface embrittlement due to oxidation, may promote crack propagation. The assessment of through-thickness properties may, therefore, provide insight into delamination mechanisms. Using the small punc...

PEEK-OPTIMA™ (Invibio Ltd, UK) has been considered as an alternative joint arthroplasty bearing material due to its favourable mechanical properties and the biocompatibility of its wear debris. In this study, the potential to use injection moulded PEEK-OPTIMA™ as an alternative to cobalt chrome in the femoral component of a total knee replacement was investigated in terms of its wear performanc...