Characterization of the fatigue threshold behavior of UHMWPE

IF 3.5 2区医学 Q2 ENGINEERING, BIOMEDICAL

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials Pub Date : 2025-10-01 DOI:10.1016/j.jmbbm.2025.107220

Bethany B. Smith , Anurag Roy , Robert O. Ritchie , Lisa A. Pruitt

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polyethylene (UHMWPE) has been the material of choice for bearings in total joint replacements (TJRs) for decades as a result of its excellent wear resistance, chemical inertness, energetic toughness, low friction, and biocompatibility. Utilization of this polymer in orthopedic devices requires oxidation, wear, and fatigue resistance. Balancing these important properties by tailoring processing techniques and modulating microstructural features has been an ongoing endeavor in the field. Research into the clinical applications of UHMWPE has primarily focused on the challenges of wear and oxidation while studies into the realm of fatigue have been more limited. Literature gaps exist in fully understanding the fatigue crack initiation near notches or propagation of small existing flaws in UHMWPE used in TJRs. In particular, the characterization of the fatigue thresholds and near-threshold fatigue behavior of orthopedic grade UHMWPE has yet to be thoroughly explored. In this work, we characterized the fatigue crack arrest threshold of clinically-relevant UHMWPE formulations. Correlations between the fatigue thresholds and bulk mechanical properties as well as microstructural properties were examined across these medical resins. The important role played by crosslinking in influencing the fatigue performance of UHMWPE is highlighted in this study. In addition, it is established that J-integral fracture toughness is the best predictor of fatigue thresholds and could possibly be used as a stand-in metric for fatigue performance if thresholds cannot be directly ascertained. Finally, this study corroborates that the true constitutive parameters best describe the mechanical behavior of UHMWPE.

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超高分子量聚乙烯的疲劳阈值行为表征。

超高分子量聚乙烯（UHMWPE）由于其优异的耐磨性、化学惰性、能量韧性、低摩擦和生物相容性，几十年来一直是全关节置换术（TJRs）中轴承的首选材料。这种聚合物在骨科设备中的应用要求具有抗氧化、耐磨损和抗疲劳性能。通过定制加工技术和调制微观结构特征来平衡这些重要特性一直是该领域的持续努力。对超高分子量聚乙烯临床应用的研究主要集中在磨损和氧化方面，而对疲劳领域的研究则更为有限。在充分了解超高分子量聚乙烯在TJRs中存在的小缺陷在缺口附近的疲劳裂纹萌生或扩展方面存在文献空白。特别是，骨科级超高分子量聚乙烯的疲劳阈值和近阈值疲劳行为的表征还有待深入探讨。在这项工作中，我们表征了临床相关的超高分子量聚乙烯配方的疲劳裂纹止裂阈值。研究了这些医用树脂的疲劳阈值与体力学性能以及微观结构性能之间的相关性。本研究强调了交联对超高分子量聚乙烯疲劳性能的重要影响。此外，还确定了j积分断裂韧性是疲劳阈值的最佳预测指标，如果不能直接确定阈值，则可以将其用作疲劳性能的替代指标。最后，本研究证实了真实本构参数最能描述超高分子量聚乙烯的力学行为。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials 工程技术-材料科学：生物材料

CiteScore

7.20

自引率

7.70%

发文量

505

审稿时长

46 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials is concerned with the mechanical deformation, damage and failure under applied forces, of biological material (at the tissue, cellular and molecular levels) and of biomaterials, i.e. those materials which are designed to mimic or replace biological materials. The primary focus of the journal is the synthesis of materials science, biology, and medical and dental science. Reports of fundamental scientific investigations are welcome, as are articles concerned with the practical application of materials in medical devices. Both experimental and theoretical work is of interest; theoretical papers will normally include comparison of predictions with experimental data, though we recognize that this may not always be appropriate. The journal also publishes technical notes concerned with emerging experimental or theoretical techniques, letters to the editor and, by invitation, review articles and papers describing existing techniques for the benefit of an interdisciplinary readership.