Accelerated ageing was conducted on UHMWPE with and without vitamin E (D, L-α tocopherol, VE). Wear performance was investigated using a knee simulator and wear debris was analysed. Aged UHMWPE with VE showed significantly lower wear volume than that of aged virgin UHMWPE and showed approximately similar wear volume as non-aged virgin UHMWPE. There were no significant differences among the materials as far as shape factor of the debris is concerned.<br /><br />

Keywords

Medical Engineering, Biomaterials, Material Testing, Wear, Bearing, UHMWPE, Vitamin E, Artificial Joint, Wear Debris, Accelerated Ageing

Paper information

Satoshi TERAMURA, Hideyuki SAKODA, Tomohiro TERAO, Kunihiko FUJIWARA, Kosuke KAWAI and Naohide TOMITA, “Reduction of Wear Volume from Accelerated Aged UHMWPE Knee Components by the Addition of Vitamin E”, Journal of Biomechanical Science and Engineering, Vol. 4, No. 4 (2009), pp.589-596 . doi:10.1299/jbse.4.589

The mechanical interaction between ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and a Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy in water was examined in order to clarify the wear resistance mechanism of vitamin E-containing UHMWPE in knee prostheses. The sample UHMWPE was pressed and rubbed against the surface of the Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy in water by using a computer-controlled pin-on-disk wear test apparatus. The formation of a UHMWPE transfer film on the surface of the Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy was reduced by the addition of vitamin E to UHMWPE. The pull-away force between UHMWPE and the Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy was also reduced by the addition of vitamin E. These results suggest that vitamin E reduces the attraction between UHMWPE and the surface of the Co-28Cr-6Mo alloy.

Keywords

Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE), Vitamin E (dl-α-Tocopherol), Wear, Transfer Film Formation, Pull-Away Force

Paper information

Yasushi OKUBO, Shin-ichiro MORI, Koji YAMAMOTO, Daisuke HAMADA, Hiroyuki KOHNO, Kunihiko FUJIWARA, Masato HASHIMOTO, Ken IKEUCHI and Naohide TOMITA, “Mechanical Interaction between Vitamin E-Containing Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene and Co-28Cr-6Mo Alloy in Water”, Journal of Biomechanical Science and Engineering, Vol. 4, No. 2 (2009), pp.166-173 . doi:10.1299/jbse.4.166