Confirmation of Pressure-Induced Leaching of Vitamin E from inside of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polyethylene

Abstract

The possibility of pressure-induced leaching of vitamin E from inside of vitamin E-blended ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) was investigated. UHMWPE specimens were pressed against a base plate, and leached vitamin E was dissolved in ethanol. The quantification of vitamin E in ethanol was carried out by fluorescence spectrophotometry. Vitamin E was confirmed to leach from inside of the vitamin E-blended UHMWPE specimens under compressive load, and the amount of leached vitamin E was positively correlated with the applied load.

Keywords

• medical engineering
• artificial knee joint
• uhmwpe
• vitamin e
• wear
• adhesion
• pressure leaching