Polymeric components in articular joint implants are usually exploited to guarantee low friction and wear, high load bearing capacity, impact strength and stiffness, and biocompatibility. Micro-structuring of on-contact sliding surfaces can drastically reduce the friction and wear by promoting hydrostatic friction due to synovial fluid at the components interface. In these applications, Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a suitable material, but its current manufacturing process hinders surface micro-texturing. In the present study, the microtexturing surface replication capability of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene via injection moulding is investigated considering four different micro-textures fabricated on a steel mould by micro-EDM milling. The results show that the injection molding allows to obtain a good replication capability.
Replication study of molded micro-textured samples made of Ultra- High Molecular Weight Polyethylene for medical application
Modica F;Basile V;Surace R;Fassi I
2022
Abstract
Polymeric components in articular joint implants are usually exploited to guarantee low friction and wear, high load bearing capacity, impact strength and stiffness, and biocompatibility. Micro-structuring of on-contact sliding surfaces can drastically reduce the friction and wear by promoting hydrostatic friction due to synovial fluid at the components interface. In these applications, Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a suitable material, but its current manufacturing process hinders surface micro-texturing. In the present study, the microtexturing surface replication capability of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene via injection moulding is investigated considering four different micro-textures fabricated on a steel mould by micro-EDM milling. The results show that the injection molding allows to obtain a good replication capability.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.