Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene with Reduced Fusion Defects and Improved Mechanical Properties by Liquid Paraffin

Products made of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) have a tendency to contain fusion defects, arising during the processing of the reactor powder. These defects have been implicated previously in failures of UHMWPE load-bearing surfaces in knee and hip prostheses. To minimize the fusion defects of UHMWPE products, the low molecular weight substance liquid paraffin (LP) was blended with UHMWPE. Our hypothesis was that the addition of LP could minimize structural defects and thus improve the properties of consolidated UHMWPE. The morphology and property of UHMWPE blends with LP were investigated by SEM, DMA, and stress relaxation. The addition of small amounts of LP improved tensile strength, the elongation at break, and friction and wear properties of UHMWPE, presumably due to structural defect elimination through reducing entanglements and enhancing the chain mobility of UHMWPE.