Caracterización Físico-Química De Polietileno De Ultra Alto Peso Molecular Modificado Con Irradiación Gamma Y Con Iones Pesados

LAGARDE, MAYRA; DEL GROSSO, MARIELA; FASCE, DIANA; DOMMARCO, R.; LAINO, S.; FASCE, L.A.

Congreso; 12º Congreso Binacional de Metalurgia y Materiales, SAM/CONAMET 2012; 2012

The ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a biomaterial widely used in total joint replacement. In this work, the effect of two different irradiation techniques on UHMWPE is analyzed. One technique involves gamma irradiation () followed by a thermal treatment, thus modifying the material bulk. The other implies swift heavy ion irradiation (SHI), which have an effect only on the near surface layers. The surface nanomechanical properties are evaluated from depth sensing indentation experiments, while changes in crystallinity and chemical structure are determined by DSC and Raman spectroscopy. The results show that even when both techniques are able to improve the UHMWPE wear behavior, the effect on other mechanical properties and molecular structure modification is different. The  irradiated sample exhibits lower crystallinity, hardness and modulus than the pristine UHMWPE, while the SHI irradiated sample exhibits higher crystallinity and enhanced mechanical properties than the later.