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