Logo image
Back
Trace concentrations of vitamin E protect radiation crosslinked UHMWPE from oxidative degradation
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Trace concentrations of vitamin E protect radiation crosslinked UHMWPE from oxidative degradation

S. M. Kurtz, J. Dumbleton, R. S. Siskey, A. Wang and M. Manley
Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A, v 90A(2), pp 549-563
01 Aug 2009
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/jbm.a.32122
PMID: 18563825
Featured in Collection :   UN Sustainable Development Goals @ Drexel

Abstract

Engineering Engineering, Biomedical Materials Science Materials Science, Biomaterials Science & Technology Technology
The effect of very low concentrations of Vitamin E on the stability and mechanical behavior of UHMWPE remains unknown. We tested the hypothesis that the oxidation resistance of Vitamin E-blended UHMWPE would be influenced by trace doses of antioxidant, resin, and radiation treatment. Trace concentrations (<= 500 ppm w/w%) of alpha-tocopherol (Vitamin E) were blended separately with GUR 1020 and 1050 resin,,; and molded into disks. From each disk, three groups of 10 MM thick blocks were machined: (1) no irradiation (control); (2) 30 kGy of gamma irradiation in nitrogen; and (3) 75 kGy of gamma irradiation in air. Specimens were subjected to three aging protocols: (a) no aging (control); (b) two weeks and (c) four weeks of accelerated aging in accordance with ASTM F 2003 (i.e., 70 degrees C and 5 atm oxygen). The minimum concentration of Vitamin E needed to stabilize UHMWPE during our accelerated tests depended upon the method of radiation processing. For the 30 and 75 kGy irradiated materials, the addition of 125 ppm or more Vitamin E was sufficient to maintain baseline mechanical and chemical properties through two weeks of accelerated aging. For these groups, the addition of 375 ppm or 500 ppm, respectively, was necessary to maintain baseline mechanical and chemical properties throughout the four-week accelerated aging period. UHMWPE resin molecular weight did not have an effect on oxidation behavior. The results Of this experiment therefore supported our hypotheses that trace concentrations of Vitamin E, coupled with radiation treatment-but not resin grade-influence the mechanical and oxidative degradation behavior of UHMWPE. (C) 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res 90A: 549-563, 2009

Metrics

14 Record Views
89 citations in Web of Science
100 citations in Scopus

Details

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#3 Good Health and Well-Being

InCites Highlights

Data related to this publication, from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool:

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