Surface Treatment of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) by Cold Atmospheric Plasma (CAP) for Biocompatibility Enhancement
Source abstract
Abstract
Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) is one of the most commonly used polymers in joint replacements because of its biologically inert properties and low friction coefficient. However, it has downfalls relating to its wear, adhesion, and lubrication. In this study, UHMWPE samples were treated with a tubular helium cold atmospheric pressure (CAP) plasma source in order to improve three properties of the polymer: (1) its wear resistance, which was characterized by durometer hardness, (2) its lubrication characterized by water contact angle, and (3) its adhesion characterized by both root mean square surface roughness (Rq) and water contact angle. The polymer was treated by two different parts of the plasma plume (the base and the tip) at two different helium flow rates (1 L/min and 2.5 L/min), for different treatment times. Results of the plasma treatment showed a decrease in the contact angle of between 32 and 54 degrees, a significant increase in the roughness by up to 10 times the pristine surface, and no substantial change in the hardness. These improvements to the adhesion and lubrication properties of the polymer examined suggest that the treated surface could be more suitable for use in artificial joints.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline
Research context
OpenAlex topics: Diamond and Carbon-based Materials Research · Tribology and Wear Analysis · Metal and Thin Film Mechanics
SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.
Affiliations
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
Department of Physics and Chemistry, Milwaukee School of Engineering, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USA
References (29)
Show source-provided references
1. Turicek, J., Ratts, N., Kaltchev, M., and Masoud, N. (2020, January 5–9). Characterization of Helium CAP Tubular Source and Investigation of UHMWPE Surface Treatment. Proceedings of the 73rd Annual Gaseous Electronics Virtual Conference, Princeton, NJ, USA.
2. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene: Mechanics, Morphology, and Clinical Behavior10.1016/j.jmbbm.2008.12.006 ↗
3. Bracco, P., Bellare, A., Bistolfi, A., and Affatato, S. (2017). Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene: Influence of the Chemical, Physical and Mechanical Properties on the Wear Behavior. A Review. Materials, 10.10.3390/ma10070791 ↗
4. Adhesive forces and surface properties of cold gas plasma treated UHMWPE10.1016/j.colsurfa.2014.03.052 ↗
5. (2020, April 24). Meeting the Joint Replacement Challenge with UHMWPE, MDDI Online, Available online: https://www.mddionline.com/meeting-joint-replacement-challenge-uhmwpe.
6. Physical properties and biocompatibility of UHMWPE-derived materials modified by synchrotron radiation10.1007/s10856-014-5222-4 ↗
7. UHMWPE for biomedical applications: Performance and functionalization10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2020.109529 ↗
8. Static and dynamic characterization of biomedical polyethylene laser welding using biocompatible nano-particles10.1051/epjconf/201816705009 ↗
9. Response to fatigue stress of biomedical grade polyethylene joints welded by a diode laser10.1016/j.jmbbm.2018.07.006 ↗
10. Wear Performance of UHMWPE and Reinforced UHMWPE Composites in Arthroplasty Applications: A Review10.3390/lubricants3020413 ↗
11. Improvements of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene mechanical properties by nitrogen plasma immersion ion implantation10.1590/S0103-97332004000800029 ↗
12. Improving the surface properties of an UHMWPE shoulder implant with an atmospheric pressure plasma jet10.1038/s41598-018-22921-6 ↗
13. Investigation of Plasma Treatment on Micro-Injection Moulded Microneedle for Drug Delivery10.3390/pharmaceutics7040471 ↗
14. Surface modification of polycarbonate by plasma treatment10.1088/1742-6596/208/1/012108 ↗
15. (2020, June 10). Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials TIVAR® 1000 UHMW-PE, (Natural & Colors except Black) UHMW-PE (ASTM Product Data Sheet). Available online: http://qepp.matweb.com/search/DataSheet.aspx?Bassnum=P1SMP00&ckck=1.
16. Al-Malik, H.L.R. (2018). Adhesive and Tribological Behaviour of Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Treated Polymer Surfaces. [Ph.D. Thesis, Szent Istvan University].
17. Influence of Experimental Variables on the Measure of Contact Angle in Metals Using the Sessile Drop Method10.1016/j.mspro.2015.04.131 ↗
18. Advanced biomaterials in hip joint arthroplasty. A review on polymer and ceramics composites as alternative bearings10.1016/j.compositesb.2015.07.019 ↗
19. Kumar, N.N., Yap, S.L., Bt Samsudin, F.N.D., Khan, M.Z., and Pattela Srinivasa, R.S. (2016). Effect of Argon Plasma Treatment on Tribological Properties of UHMWPE/MWCNT Nanocomposites. Polymers, 8.10.3390/polym8080295 ↗
20. Rex Gauge Company, Inc. (2020, April 24). Operating Instructions. Available online: https://www.durometer.com/wp-content/uploads/REXOpInstrucv1214r.pdf.
21. The influence of water vapor content on electrical and spectral properties of an atmospheric pressure plasma jet10.1088/0963-0252/20/1/015014 ↗
22. OH Production and Jet Length of an Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Jet for Soft and Biomaterial Treatment10.1109/TPS.2019.2942576 ↗
23. Wettability and Other Surface Properties of Modified Polymers
24. Mandolfino, C., Lertora, E., and Gambaro, C. (2014). Effect of Cold Plasma Treatment on Surface Roughness and Bonding Strength of Polymeric Substrates. Key Eng. Mater.10.1155/2014/325729 ↗
25. Macgregor, M., and Vasilev, K. (2019). Perspective on Plasma Polymers for Applied Biomaterials Nanoengineering and the Recent Rise of Oxazolines. Materials, 12.10.3390/ma12010191 ↗
26. Puliyalil, H., and Cvelbar, U. (2016). Selective Plasma Etching of Polymeric Substrates for Advanced Applications. Nanomaterials, 6.10.3390/nano6060108 ↗
27. Comparison between adhesion properties of adhesive bonding and adhesive-free adhesion for heat-assisted plasma-treated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE)10.1080/00218464.2018.1512859 ↗
28. Neděla, O., Slepička, P., and Švorčík, V. (2017). Surface Modification of Polymer Substrates for Biomedical Applications. Materials, 10.10.3390/ma10101115 ↗
29. Status of surface modification techniques for artificial hip implants10.1080/14686996.2016.1240575 ↗