| abstract |
Various embodiments disclosed relate to melt-stabilized ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), methods of making the same, and medical implants made from the same. In various embodiments, the present invention provides a method of melt- stabilizing UHMWPE. The method can include coating a solid material including UHMWPE with an antioxidant, to provide an antioxidant-coated solid material. The method can include pre-irradiatively heating the antioxidant-coated solid material to diffuse the antioxidant therein, to provide an antioxidant-diffused solid material. The method can include irradiating the antioxidant-diffused solid material, to provide an irradiated solid material. The method can include post-irradiatively heating the irradiated solid material, the heating sufficient to melt at least part of the UHMWPE, to provide a heated material. The method can also include solidifying the heated material, to provide a melt-stabilized material. |