Effect of cross-linkage by gamma radiation in heavy doses to low wear polyethylene in total hip prostheses

Wear, frictional torque and creep deformity of UHMWPE sockets crosslinked by gamma radiation of 100, 500 and 1000 Mrad in combination with 28 mm alumina heads, were measured using a hip simulator (under constant load 250 kgf with lubrication of saline solution). Hardness and hydrophilic increased and creep deformity decreased as a result of gamma radiation. The initial wear (decrement of the thickness) of the socket with radiation of 0, 100, 500 and 1000 Mrad was, 150 μm, 100 μm, 70 μm and 50 μm, respectively. The time to steady-state wear at 0, 100, 5000 and 1000 Mrad was about 0.15 million, 0.15 million, 0.1 million, and 0.05 million cycles, respectively. The steady-state wear (decrement of the thickness) of the socket without and with radiation was 200 μm/million cycles and less than 20 μm/million cycles, respectively. Rotational torque was under 0.65 Nm in every case. Swing frictional torque at radiation levels of 0, 100, 500 and 1000 MRad were 1.60–2.84 Nm, 3.24–9.02 Nm, 5.23–8.78 Nm, and 2.51–6.79 Nm, respectively.