Surface-Gradient Cross-linked Polyethylene Acetabular Cups Oxidation Resistance and Wear against Smooth and Rough Femoral Balls

Two methods were developed and evaluated for cross-linking the bearing surface of a polyethylene acetabular cup to a limited depth, in order to improve its resistance to wear without degrading the mechanical properties of the bulk of the component. In the first method, low-energy electron beams were used to cross-link only the bearing surface of the cups to a maximum depth of about 2 mm. The cups then were annealed at 100°C in vacuum for 3 or 6 days to reduce the residual free radicals, and the resultant resistance to oxidation was compared by artificially aging the cups at 80°C in air. Chemically cross-linked surface layers were produced by coating the bearing surfaces of the cups with a thin layer of polyethylene powder mixed with 1% weight peroxide, and compressing them at 6.9 MPa (1000 psi) and 170°C. This resulted in a cross-linked surface layer that extended about 3 mm deep, with a gradual transition to conventional (noncross-linked) polyethylene in the bulk of the implant. In hip simulator wear tests with highly polished (implant quality) femoral balls, both types of surface cross-linking were found to improve markedly the wear resistance of the acetabular cups. In tests with roughened femoral balls, the wear rates were much higher and were comparable to those obtained with similarly roughened balls against noncross-linked polyethylene cups in a previous study, indicating that the full benefit of cross-linking may not be realized under conditions of severe third-body abrasion. Nevertheless, these results show a promising approach for optimizing the wear resistance and the bulk mechanical properties of polyethylene components in total joint arthroplasty.