Microstructure Design to Improve Wear Resistance in Bioimplant UHMWPE Materials

Abstract

A microstructure design framework for multiscale modeling of wear resistance in bioimplant materials is presented here. The increase in service lifetime of arthroplasty depends on whether we can predict wear resistance and microstructure evolution of a bioimplant material made from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene during processing. Experimental results show that the anisotropy introduced during deformation increases wear resistance in desired directions. After uniaxial compression, wear resistance along the direction, perpendicular to compression direction, increased 3.3 times. Micromechanical models are used to predict microstructure evolution and the improvement in wear resistance during processing. Predicted results agree well with the experimental data. These models may guide the materials designer to optimize processing to achieve better wear behavior along desired directions.