Our hypothesis was that cross-linked UHMWPE stabilized with vitamin-E would be wear and fatigue resistant. Acetabular liners were radiation cross-linked, doped with vitamin E and γ-sterilized. Hip simulator wear rate of vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE was approximately 1 and 6 mg/million-cycles in clean serum and in serum with third-body bone cement particles, respectively; a four to ten-fold decrease from that of conventional UHMWPE. The ultimate strength, yield strength, elongation-atbreak and fatigue resistance of vitamin E-stabilized UHMWPE were significantly higher than that of 100-kGy irradiated and melted UHMWPE and were unaffected by accelerated aging. Rim impingement testing with 3.7 mm-thick acetabular liners up to 2 million-cycles showed no significant damage of the cross-linked liners compared to conventional, gamma-sterilized in inert UHMWPE vitamin-E stabilized liners. The data indicate good wear properties and improved mechanical and fatigue properties for vitamin-E stabilized cross-linked UHMWPE.

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