Wear properties of nano-Al2O3/UHMWPE composites irradiated by gamma ray against a CoCrMo alloy

Role of hybrid nanofiller GNPs/Al2O3 on enhancing the mechanical and tribological performance of HDPE composite

The unique mechanical properties and wear resistance of HDPE give it the potential as an alternative to frictional material. The current research focuses on using hybrid nanoparticles with various loading fillers to determine the best additive contents. The mechanical and tribological characteristics were examined and evaluated. The HDPE nanocomposite samples containing 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt.% filling content of Al₂O₃ nanoparticles (NPs) and 0.5, and 1.0 wt.% of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) were fabricated. The results showed a good enhancement in the mechanical and tribological properties of HDPE composites with the presence of nano additives. The HDPE nanocomposites recorded the best performance with a loading amount of 2.0 wt.% with an equal ratio of hybrid nanofiller Al₂O₃ NPs and GNPs.

Probing the Influence of γ-Sterilization on the Oxidation, Crystallization, Sliding Wear Resistance, and Cytocompatibility of Chemically Modified Graphene-Oxide-Reinforced HDPE/UHMWPE Nanocomposites and Wear Debris

Osteolysis and aseptic loosening due to wear at the articulating interfaces of prosthetic joints are considered to be the key concerns for implant failure in load-bearing orthopedic applications. In an effort to reduce the wear and processing difficulties of ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), our research group recently developed high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/UHMWPE nanocomposites with chemically modified graphene oxide (mGO). Considering the importance of sterilization, this work explores the influence of γ-ray dosage of 25 kGy on the clinically relevant performance-limiting properties of these newly developed hybrid nanocomposites in vitro. Importantly, this work also probes into the cytotoxic effects of the wear debris of different compositions and sizes on MC3T3 murine osteoblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). In particular, γ-ray-sterilized 1 wt % mGO-reinforced HDPE/UHMWPE nanocomposites exhibit an improvement in the oxidation index (16%), free energy of immersion (-12.1 mN/m), surface polarity (5.0%), and hardness (42%). Consequently, such enhancements result in better tribological properties, especially coefficient of friction (+13%) and wear resistance, when compared with UHMWPE. A spectrum of analyses using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and in vitro cytocompatibility assessment demonstrate that phagocytosable (0.5-4.5 μm) sterilized 1 mGO wear particles, when present in culture media at 5 mg/mL concentration, induce neither significant reduction in MC3T3 murine osteoblast and hMSC growth nor cell morphology phenotype, during 24, 48, and 72 h of incubation. Taken together, this study suggests that γ-ray-sterilized HDPE/UHMWPE/mGO nanocomposites can be utilized as promising articulating surfaces for total joint replacements.

A rugged, self-sterilizing antimicrobial copper coating on ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene: a preliminary study on the feasibility of an antimicrobial prosthetic joint material

We report here for the first time how a copper coating bond to ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) via low temperature aerosol assisted chemical vapour deposition.

Friction, wear, and tensile properties of vacuum hot pressing crosslinked UHMWPE/nano-HAP composites

Ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is a thermoplastic engineering plastic with excellent mechanical properties. In this study, nonirradiated and irradiated UHMWPE/nano-hydroxyapatite (nano-HAP) composites were prepared by vacuum hot-pressing method, and then friction, wear, and tensile properties were investigated. To explore mechanisms of these properties, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared spectrum, and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectrometry analysis were carried out on the samples. The results in this study indicated that reduced friction coefficients and wear rate could be obtained when nonirradiated and irradiated UHMWPE were filled with 7% nano-HAP. The irradiated UHMWPE/7% nano-HAP also had a synergistic function of wear reduction as compared with irradiated UHMWPE and nonirradiated UHMWPE/7% nano-HAP. Samples filled with 7% nano-HAP showed a brittle fracture behavior, and a linear relationship between modulus and crystallinity for a nonirradiated and irradiated sample was found in this study.