SCANNING ELECTRON-MICROSCOPIC STUDIES OF MORPHOLOGICAL CHANGED IN CHEMICALLY STABILIZED ULTRA-HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE (UHMWPE)

Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies were performed on chemicall y stabilised ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) samples . The samples were sterilised by gamma radiation under a nitrogen atmo sphere, packed under the exclusion of oxygen, and subjected to a speci al stabilising process. We investigated the surface as well as deeper surfaces in the samples using SEM: The samples showed minor surface ir regularities resulting from the working of the material. Microtome sec tions of the specimens revealed no signs of cavitation. At high resolu tion, some typical lamination effects were to be seen. We were also ab le to demonstrate spherulites having diameters ranging from 10 to 40 m u m. Clinical relevance: In contrast to other samples, the UHMWPE eval uated did not show any kind of cavitation or cracks, and this might be an indicator for a positive development.