Does texturing of UHMWPE increase strength and toughness?: a pilot study.

Background: Crosslinked UHMWPE as a bearing surface in total joint arthroplasty has higher wear resistance than conventional UHMWPE but lower strength and toughness. To produce crosslinked UHMWPE with improved mechanical properties, the material can be treated before crosslinking by tension to induce molecular alignment (texture).

Questions/purposes: We asked how (1) the microstructure of UHMWPE evolves when subjected to tension and (2) whether the new microstructure (texture) increases strength and toughness.