The effects of radiation sterilization on the properties of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene.

The effects of radiation sterilization on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene were explored by freeze fractures, electron spin resonance, absorption of aqueous media, density measurements, small-angle and wide-angle x-ray scatter, differential scanning calorimetry, infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, static and dynamic mechanical fatigue measurements, and standard environmental stress cracking measurements. The rate of fluid absorption increased significantly due to the appearance of carbonyl groups. As the fluids were absorbed, density increased and small-angle x-ray scatter (SAXS) intensity diminished slightly, as expected. Small changes in mechanical properties (e.g., tensile properties and dynamic spectrum) were always consistent with the cross-linking which occurs after irradiation; the only significant mechanical deterioration was in the fatigue properties. The nonspherulitic, inhibited crystallinity which characterized this material and which is responsible for its excellent static resistance to environmental stress cracking was not at all changed.