Thermal Behaviour of W plus C Ion Implanted Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE)

20th International Conference on Application of Accelerators in Research and Industry -- AUG 10-15, 2008 -- Ft Worth, TXWOS: 000265828500119The aim of this work was to examine thermal behavior of the surface modified Ultra High Molecular Weight Poly Ethylene (UHMWPE) in order to understand the effect of ion implantation on the properties of this polymer which is widely used especially for biomedical applications. UHMWPE samples were Tungsten and Carbon (W+C) hybrid ion implanted by using Metal Vapour Vacuum Arc (MEVVA) ion implantation technique with a fluence of 10 17 ions/cm2 and extraction voltage of 30kV. Untreated and surface-treated samples were investigated by Rutherford Back Scattering (RBS) Analysis, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) Spectrometry, Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). This study has shown that ion implantation represents a powerful tool on modifying thermal properties of UHMWPE surfaces. This combination of properties can make implanted UHMWPE a preferred material for biomedical applications.Univ N Texas, Sandia Natl LabCenter for Irradiation of Materials; Alabama AM University; Hipokrat Co.Authors acknowledge partial support from the Center for Irradiation of Materials, Alabama A&M University and Hipokrat Co