Radiation-induced crosslinking of UHMWPE in the presence of co-agents: chemical and mechanical characterisation

Radiation-induced crosslinking has been shown to have a beneficial effect on the wear resistance of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE). Since we postulate that crosslinking takes place through reactions involving terminal double bonds, unsaturated additives were added to UHMWPE in this study to enhance crosslinking. UHMWPE specimens soaked in 1,7-octadiene, methylacetylene and ethylene, respectively, were irradiated with electron beam to different doses in single or multiple passages. FTIR spectroscopy was used for the chemical characterisation of the crosslinked polymer. Tensile tests were performed with all samples in order to monitor changes in the mechanical properties.Gel fraction measurements proved that crosslinking took place in all the irradiated samples, but 1,7-octadiene turned out to be the most effective additive for the present purpose, exhibiting a good efficiency in enhancing crosslinking. The FTIR analyses showed that consumption of vinyl double bonds is proportional to the irradiation dose, with an efficiency which increases with increasing their initial concentration, confirming the hypothesis of the involvement of these groups in the crosslinking process. In the case of UHMWPE with 1,7-octadiene irradiated to high doses in multiple passages, the results of the tensile tests indicated a significant decrease in both elongation at break (up to 65%) and ultimate stress (up to 25%). A possible explanation of the diminished strength of the crosslinked material has also been proposed.