Effects of Surface Feature Dimensions on Particle Dimensions and Aspect Ratio for a Surface Texture Controlled UHMWPE Particle Generation Process

Published

October 4, 2003

Author(s)

H. W. Fang, Stephen M. Hsu, J V. Sengers

Abstract

Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) wear particles in human replacement joints have been identified ified to cause humimmuno-responses that eventually lead to osteolysis and bone resorption. To clarify the relationship between wear particle size and shaand their effect on bioactivity, narrowly distributed particles of different size and shape had been produced by rubbing a polyethylenen a textured surface. These particles were tested for bioactivity and the results suggested that elongated particles to have a higher biresponse than spherical particles. Microfabrication techniques had been further used to improve the size and shape distributionfeasibility of generating two particle populations without overlap in size or shape distribution had also been demonstrated.e relationship between surface feature size and particle length was demonstrated previously. This study shows further the relationshipbetween particle width vs. surface feature height and particle aspect ratio vs. surface feature length. In summary, careful design of thesurface feature dimensions would allow the control of specific size and shape particle generation under rubbing conditions.

Citation

Biomaterials

Pub Type

Journals

Keywords

artificial joints, micro-fabrication, particle, surface texture, UHMWPE, wear

Citation

Fang, H. , Hsu, S. and Sengers, J. (2003), Effects of Surface Feature Dimensions on Particle Dimensions and Aspect Ratio for a Surface Texture Controlled UHMWPE Particle Generation Process, Biomaterials (Accessed October 18, 2025)