Nano- and Micro-Structured UHMWPE Composites Filled With Hydroxyapatite Irradiated by Nitrogen Ion Beams for Bio-Medical Applications

4The effect of filling the ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) with nano- and microparticles of hydroxyapatite (HA) on its structure and tribotechnical properties is investigated, aiming at application of the modified UHMWPE in endoprosthetics. An introduction of 0.1–0.5 wt% HA nanoparticles into UHMWPE is shown to result in a threefold increase in its wear resistance. A similar effect is observed in the case where 20 wt% of HA microparticles is used. Treatment of the surface of nano- and microcomposites with a nitrogen ion beam increases the wear resistance by an additional 10–30%. A combined treatment of UHMWPE powder and fillers in a planetary ball mill leads to a uniform distribution of the latter in the polymer matrix and, consequently, to the formation of a more ordered permolecular structure. In the irradiated UHMWPE microand nanocomposites reinforced with HA, the tribotechnical properties are shown to improve due to the formation of new chemical bonds (primarily via cross-linking) and ordered permolecular structure.