scholarly journals Surface Treatment of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) by Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) for Biocompatibility Enhancement

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 1703
Author(s):  
Jack Turicek ◽  
Nicole Ratts ◽  
Matey Kaltchev ◽  
Nazieh Masoud
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Contact Angle ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Water Contact Angle ◽  
Plasma Source ◽  
Atmospheric Plasma ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Artificial Joints ◽  
Joint Replacements ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the most commonly used polymers in joint replacements because of its biologically inert properties and low friction coefficient. However, it has downfalls relating to its wear, adhesion, and lubrication. In this study, UHMWPE samples were treated with a tubular helium cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma source in order to improve three properties of the polymer: (1) its wear resistance, which was characterized by durometer hardness, (2) its lubrication characterized by water contact angle, and (3) its adhesion characterized by both root mean square surface roughness (Rq) and water contact angle. The polymer was treated by two different parts of the plasma plume (the base and the tip) at two different helium flow rates (1 L/min and 2.5 L/min), for different treatment times. Results of the plasma treatment showed a decrease in the contact angle of between 32 and 54 degrees, a significant increase in the roughness by up to 10 times the pristine surface, and no substantial change in the hardness. These improvements to the adhesion and lubrication properties of the polymer examined suggest that the treated surface could be more suitable for use in artificial joints.

Plasma Surface Modification of Medical-Grade Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for Improved Tribological Properties

1998 ◽  
Vol 550 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.M. Klapperich ◽  
K. Komvopoulos ◽  
L. Pruitt
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Contact Angle ◽  
Plasma Treatment ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Photoelectron Spectroscopy ◽  
Total Joint Replacement ◽  
Surface Hydrophobicity ◽  
Surface Chemical ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

AbstractUltra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is the principal material used to replace damaged cartilage in total joint replacement surgeries. This publication presents preliminary results from a new class of surface treatments to modify the surface chemistry and microstructure of UHMWPE under controlled processing conditions. Radio frequency plasmas were used to lightly crosslink the subsurface of UHMWPE and to modify the surface chemical state through the attachment of low-surface-energy fluorocarbon groups. A pin-on-disk apparatus was used to slide CoCrWNi pins with spherical tips on polished disks of plasma- treated and untreated UHMWPE immersed in a bath of preserved bovine serum. The wear resistance and surface chemical composition of tested specimens were characterized by surface profilometry and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), respectively. Changes in the surface hydrophobicity due to plasma treatment were evaluated using contact angle measurements. The prospect of surface plasma treatment in orthopedic applications is elucidated in the context of the obtained friction, wear, distilled water contact angle, and XPS results.

Surface Modification of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene with Crosslinked Hyaluronic Acid and its Antiwear Performance

2015 ◽  
Vol 642 ◽  
pp. 94-98
Author(s):  
Chau Chang Chou ◽  
Yu Hsiang Hao ◽  
Fu Yin Hsu
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Hyaluronic Acid ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Incident Light ◽  
Contact Angle Measurement ◽  
Angle Measurement ◽  
Coated Sample ◽  
Infrared Spectrometry ◽  
Water Contact ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

The surface of high-pressure crystallized ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was modified for application as an artificial cartilage material. A UHMWPE surface pretreated by a series of processes, including treatment with O2-plasma and ethylenediamine solution, was coated with hyaluronic acid (HA). After that, adipic acid dihydrazide (AAD) was added to partially crosslink the HA coating in order to enhance its durability. The modified samples were verified by water contact angle measurement and Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. Both HA layers, original and crosslinked, were also quantitatively evaluated by carbohydrate chemistry assay according to the absorbance of the incident light. The tribological performance of the samples was evaluated by a pin-on-disk test rig lubricated by normal saline under an average pressure of 18 MPa and at a sliding speed of 0.03 m/s for 45 h. The wear resistance of the HA-coated UHMWPE specimens promoted by the crosslink process was superior to that of the original HA-coated sample, and that resistance was maintained after immersion in saline solution for one month.

The yielding, plastic flow, and fracture behavior of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene used in total joint replacements

Biomaterials ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 19 (21) ◽  
pp. 1989-2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Steven M. Kurtz ◽  
Lisa Pruitt ◽  
Charles W. Jewett ◽  
R. Paul Crawford ◽  
Deborah J. Crane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Plastic Flow ◽  
Fracture Behavior ◽  
Joint Replacements ◽  
Total Joint Replacements ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene fiber-reinforced thermoplastic corn starch composite

2016 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 564-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Guo ◽  
Li-Jian Wang ◽  
Peng Yin ◽  
Ben-Gang Li ◽  
Pan-Xin Li
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Contact Angle ◽  
High Molecular Weight ◽  
Corn Starch ◽  
Thermoplastic Starch ◽  
Polyethylene Fiber ◽  
Twin Screw ◽  
Uhmwpe Fibers ◽  
Fibrous Morphology ◽  
Ultra High Molecular Weight

The ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers, as the fibrous morphology of polyethylene (PE), were first used to reinforce thermoplastic starch (TPS) by a twin screw extruder. The influence of the UHMWPE content on the mechanical and dynamic mechanical thermal properties, thermal stability, contact angle, torque rheological properties, and fractured surface morphology of the UHMWPE/TPS composites was studied in detail. We found that the UHMWPE fibers were well dispersed in the TPS matrix, and the mechanical properties and water resistance of the composites improved significantly. Especially, the incorporation of UHMWPE fibers at a content of 2 wt% generated a composite with better performance (tensile strength of 8.78 MPa and contact angle of 80.2°).

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document