Chemically Cross‐Linked UHMWPE With Superior Toughness

Radiation cross‐linked ultra‐high‐molecular‐weight polyethylenes (UHMWPEs) are clinically used extensively in total joint arthroplasty due to their high wear resistance. Peroxide cross‐linking of UHMWPE has been proposed to achieve this high level of wear resistance by simultaneously consolidating and cross‐linking in the melt state. High temperature melting of uncross‐linked and cross‐linked UHMWPEs have further shown to improve the toughness. Here, we report on the wear and mechanical properties of a peroxide cross‐linked and high‐temperature melted UHMWPE as a function of vitamin E concentration for oxidative stabilization, peroxide concentration for cross‐linking and high temperature melting temperature for toughness improvement. This method, combining consolidation and cross‐linking in one step, presents an opportunity to manufacture highly wear and oxidation‐resistant joint implant‐bearing surfaces with much improved toughness. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2182–2188, 2019