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Notch strengthening and hardening behavior of conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE under applied tensile loading
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Notch strengthening and hardening behavior of conventional and highly crosslinked UHMWPE under applied tensile loading

M.C. Sobieraj, S.M. Kurtz and C.M. Rimnac
Biomaterials, v 26(17), pp 3411-3426
2005
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biomaterials.2004.09.031
PMID: 15621230
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Abstract

Crosslinking Fracture micromechanisms Multiaxial Notch strengthening UHMWPE
This study examined the engineering and true axial stress–strain behavior of smooth cylindrical and shallow and deep notched cylindrical test specimens, under applied axial tensile loading using non-contacting methods, of both conventional and highly crosslinked ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs). The smooth specimens experienced a uniaxial stress state, while the notched specimens experienced a triaxial stress state in the vicinity of the notch. Materials were all prepared from a single batch of medical grade GUR 1050 resin (Ticona, Bayport, TX). The two conventional UHMWPEs were as-received (virgin) and gamma radiation sterilized at 30 kGy in a nitrogen atmosphere (radiation sterilized). The two highly crosslinked UHMWPEs were each irradiated at 100 kGy and then post-processed with one of either of the two thermal treatments: annealing, which was done below the melt transition temperature ( T m), at 110 °C for two hours (110 °C-annealed), and remelting, which was done above T m, at 150 °C (150 °C-remelted). All of the materials showed notch strengthening; that is, a significant elevation of axial yield properties (both engineering and true) for the shallow and deep notched conditions. Axial ultimate properties (engineering and true) were significantly decreased for the notched conditions compared with the smooth condition. Hardening ratios (both true and engineering), which are defined in this work as the ratio of ultimate stress or strain to yield stress or strain, were also found to significantly decrease with notching. The extent of change was dependent on the UHMWPE material. The micromechanism of fracture differed between the smooth and notched conditions. This study suggests that notches inherent in the design of UHMWPE joint replacement components (posts, undercuts, grooves) will have different notch sensitivities depending on the UHMWPE formulation.

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25 citations in Web of Science
29 citations in Scopus

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Collaboration types
Industry collaboration
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Engineering, Biomedical
Materials Science, Biomaterials
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