ISSN:
0021-9304
Keywords:
peroxide crosslinking
;
wear
;
γ-irradiation
;
ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene
;
polymer processing
;
Chemistry
;
Polymer and Materials Science
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Medicine
,
Technology
Notes:
Morphological characterization of chemically crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene was performed by differential scanning calorimetry and scanning electron microscopy. The lamellar thickness of nascent UHMWPE inferred from DSC endotherms showed a very broad distribution, which was reduced significantly after melting and recrystallizing in DSC. Peroxide crosslinking further reduced the lamellar thickness distribution compared to uncrosslinked samples. After γ-irradiation, a slowly cooled peroxide-free sample showed a greater increase in lamellar thickness distribution. Examination of the morphology of freeze-fractured surfaces by SEM showed that a slowly cooled peroxide-free UHMWPE exhibited a rougher fracture while chemically crosslinked samples showed a smoother fracture. After compression molding at 300°C for 2 h, the grain boundaries between particles disappeared for all UHMWPE samples, indicating a complete fusion of the original flakes. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 41, 71-78, 1998.
Additional Material:
5 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
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