Molecular orientation of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene induced by various sliding motions

Wear and wear debris of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in joint replacements have been recognized as one of the major contributors to the failure of orthopedic implants. The detailed wear mechanism of polyethylene under biomechanic motions is not well understood. In simulation wear bench tests, it was found that unidirectional sliding produces the least amount of wear, reciprocating motion increases wear significantly, and cross-shear motion (similar to hip and knee joint motion in the human body) produces the highest amount of wear. Conventional wear theories are inadequate to explain this observation. This study utilizes resonant absorption of linearly polarized soft X-rays at a synchrotron radiation beam line to measure the molecular orientation of a UHMWPE surface layer subjected to different wear motions. Carbon-K-edge partial-electron-yield X-ray absorption measurements were done on the worn UHMWPE samples. X-ray absorption measurements show conclusively that the molecular chains of UHMWPE align preferentially parallel to the direction of sliding. Examination under various wear motions showed that unidirectional shear produced the maximum chain orientation, whereas cross-shear wear motions produced the least amount of orientation. When polymeric chains align, the surface layer tends to be more brittle and hard, thus resisting wear. When they do not align, loose chains may be subjected to both Mode I and Mode II fracture, hence increasing the wear rate. This molecular alignment observation may offer an explanation of why different wear motions have different wear characteristics.