Thermal characterization of Ag and Ag + N ion implanted ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)


Sokullu Urkac E., Oztarhan A., Tihminlioglu F., Kaya N., Ila D., Muntele C., ...More

Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research, Section B: Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms, vol.261, no.1-2 SPEC. ISS., pp.699-703, 2007 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier

Abstract

Most of total hip joints are composed of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE ). However, as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene is too stable in a body, wear debris may accumulate and cause biological response such as bone absorption and loosening of prosthesis. In this study, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene samples were Ag and Ag + N hybrid ion implanted by using MEVVA ion implantation technique to improve its surface properties. Samples were implanted with a fluence of 1017 ion/cm2 and extraction voltage of 30 kV. Implanted and unimplanted samples were investigated by thermo-gravimetry analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM) and contact Angle measurement. Thermal characterization results showed that the ion bombardment induced an increase in the % crystallinity, onset and termination degradation temperatures of UHMWPE. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.