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Fatigue Crack Propagation Resistance of Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene
Fatigue Crack Propagation Resistance of Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene
Fatigue Crack Propagation Resistance of Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene
A higher degree of cross-linking has been shown to improve diostereometric analysis (RSA) techniques show less pen-
wear properties of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene etration of the femoral head into the acetabular liner of
in laboratory studies. However, cross-linking can also affect highly cross-linked UHMWPE compared with conven-
the mechanical properties of ultra-high molecular weight tional UHMWPE.8
polyethylene. Fatigue crack propagation resistance was de-
Although cross-linking improves the wear resistance of
termined for electron beam cross-linked ultra-high molecu-
lar weight polyethylene and compared with gamma irradia-
UHMWPE, its mechanical properties also are affected.
tion cross-linked and noncross-linked polyethylene fatigue The higher degree of cross-linking causes a restriction of
specimens. Crosslinking was done with different dosages of chain mobility in the amorphous region of the polymer and
irradiation followed by melting. For one irradiation dose (50 results in limited plasticity in the polyethylene (PE). This
kGy) extrusion and molding processes were compared. A decreased tendency toward plastic damage is thought to be
fracture mechanics approach was used to determine how the the primary mechanism for improving the wear resistance
degree of cross-linking affects resistance to crack propaga- of UHMWPE. It is thought that cross-linking mitigates
tion in ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Fatigue texture evolution and cyclic softening in the polymer.5,15
crack propagation resistance was reduced in proportion to However, this lack of plasticity could be detrimental to
the irradiation dose. The type of irradiation (gamma or elec- other mechanical properties such as toughness, ductility
tron beam) or manufacturing method (extrusion or molding)
and fatigue resistance.
did not affect fatigue crack propagation resistance. The re-
duced fatigue strength of highly cross-linked ultra-high mo-
Compared with unsterilized UHMWPE, the mechanical
lecular weight polyethylene could lead to mechanical failure properties including yield strength, ultimate tensile
in conditions that are associated with cyclic local tensile strength, and elongation are reduced by cross-linking. Re-
stresses. sistance to fatigue crack propagation also is decreased by
cross-linking.1–3
The loads on a modular UHMWPE acetabular liner
are primarily compressive so a reduction in mechanical
Highly cross-linked ultra-high molecular weight polyeth-
properties of UHMWPE may not result in mechanical fail-
ylenes (UHMWPEs) have been developed in an effort to
ure. However, tensile stresses may also occur particularly
minimize wear in total hip arthroplasty (THA). Cross-
at the liner-locking mechanism and during activities that
linking improves the abrasion resistance of UHMWPE.
are associated with impingement of the femoral neck
Hip simulator studies consistently show decreased wear of
against the UHMWPE rim. Liner-locking mechanism dis-
highly cross-linked UHMWPE compared with conven-
sociation has been reported as a complication of many
tional UHMWPE.4,5,9,10,12 Early clinical reports with ra-
modular acetabular components.6,11,14 Therefore, the me-
chanical properties of an acetabular liner should be suf-
ficient to minimize the risk of liner-locking mechanism
From the *University of California, San Francisco, CA; †Exxon-Mobil
Corp., Houston, TX; ‡Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of failure.
California, San Francisco, CA; §Department of Mechanical Engineering, Gamma irradiation induced cross-linking is associated
University of California, Berkeley, CA. with a reduction in the fatigue crack propagation resistance
The institution of the authors have received funding in support of this study
from Sulzer, Inc. and Depuy, Inc. that is related to the irradiation dose.1,3 The purpose of this
Correspondence to: Michael D. Ries, M.D., Department of Orthopaedic study was to determine the effect of electron beam and
Surgery, University of California, San Francisco, 500 Parnassus Ave. gamma irradiation induced cross-linking on the resistance
(MU 320-W), San Francisco, CA 94143. Phone: 415-502-2235; Fax: 415-
476-1304; E-mail: riesm@orthosurg.ucsf.edu. to propagation of flaws or defects under controlled cyclic
DOI: 10.1097/01.blo.0000150124.34906.34 stresses.
68
Number 429
December 2004 Highly Crosslinked Polyethylene Fatigue 69
RESULTS
component if impingement occurs. Range of motion to 7. Kurtz SM, Muratoglu OK, Evans M, et al: Advances in the pro-
cessing, sterilization, and crosslinking of ultra-high molecular
impingement carefully should be evaluated with any liner weight polyethylene for total joint arthroplasty. Biomaterials
material used in total hip arthroplasty including highly 20:1659–1688, 1999.
cross-linked PE and liner locking mechanisms should be 8. Martell JM, Verner JJ, Incavo SJ: Clinical performance of a highly
cross-linked polyethylene at two years in total hip arthroplasty: a
designed to minimize the risk of mechanical failure under randomized prospective trial. J Arthroplasty 18:55–59, 2003.
cyclic loads. 9. McKellop H, Shen FW, Lu B, et al: Development of an extremely
wear-resistant ultra high molecular weight polyethylene for total hip
replacements. J Orthop Res 17:157–167, 1999.
References 10. McKellop H, Shen FW, Lu B, et al: Effect of sterilization method
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