Determination of the Influence of Irradiation on Physical and Structural Properties of UHMWPE

The degradation process of UHMWPE polyethylene in in vitro conditions under the influence of X-rays was assessed. For the tests, the samples were submitted to the radiation dosages of 90, 120, and 150 cGy. The use of copper screening and the use of so-called water phantom made it possible to create samples of irradiation conditions similar to those occurring in the human body at a depth of 4 cm in soft tissues. The differential scanning calorimetry method was used for test on the degree of crystallinity in UHMWPE samples. The test also included friction-wear tests aimed at defining the influence of irradiation dosage on the wear of UHMWPE. The tests were conducted on the T-05 simulator. For the tested models, no significant changes were detected.