Spectroscopic and chromatographic quantification of an antioxidant-stabilized ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene.

Background: The oxidative stability of various antioxidant-containing ultrahigh-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) formulations has been widely reported. Depending on which specific antioxidant is used, the process by which it is incorporated into UHMWPE, and the amount of the antioxidant incorporated, there could be substantial differences in the material and toxicological properties of the UHMWPE formulation. Pentaerythritol tetrakis (3-[3,5-di tertiary butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl] propionate) (PBHP) has been extensively used as an efficient antioxidant in various applications.